The marriage of Dave and Katie Coons

As the bride in a wedding, it's incredibly fun being in the center of many things, but also one can't really take everything in that is happening around her. I have my wedding pictures now, and have been looking through them smiling at the photos that capture my wedding day, and realizing just how fast the who event was.... and it WAS an event!! I can hardly believe that I'm married, but there are many signs that say it is true:)

Dave and I arrived in Tianjin last night and battled jet lag as we unpacked our bags, settled in and looked at one another with the "oh my gosh we're married!" look and promptly fell asleep. While I was sleeping very hard, Dave got up, went shopping, made dinner and set the table complete with candles and woke me up for a lovely dinner. My first official dinner in my new apartment was delicious, and settling into marriage has been a delight. Lest I bore my readers too much with details, I thought a little marriage couple of weeks review would be fun.

I arrived in Wheaton about 3 weeks ago and found it delightful to spend time with my family and college friends in the Chicago land. Highlights of that time include being with family, actually seeing all the wonderful things my aunt and mother had created for the wedding, and REALLY being a part of the planning. I couldn't help but look at all the amazing details Carol has put together around the house- flowers, lanterns, chinese silk, programs, dresses, ... the list goes on and on! I kept pinching myself thinking "this is MY wedding... ?!!!" Another wonderful event was a China-style bridal shower thrown by my "Aunt Patsy" Hubbard and Beth Hubbard (though she wasn't there) and all my grad and undergrad friends who were in town. It was so fun to celebrate with them and tell them about this "man" in my life.

By the time I picked up Dave that Tuesday, I was used to America and the fact that I was getting married, but I think it was a shock for both of us to be there together for the first time. The moment we set foot on some real grass, Dave rolled aroud in it, soaking in the fresh air, and the atmosphere. From that day on, things just rolled faster and faster! Cousins and aunt and uncles arrived... my dear friend Robbie came from Mexico, Dave's best man Luke and Anna from Seattle... Beth Hunt.. we all congregated for program assembly dinner and hang out time. The first of many such gatherings:)

Thursday brought in more wedding party, family and fun. Besides airport runs, long talks around coffee, pizza, hanging out, crashing again from jet lag... we all stayed around Taylor's house and enjoyed one another's company.

Friday morning Dave and I had some down time together, and went out for breakfast at Einstein's and for a walk... a welcome lull in the wonderful chaos to prepare for all the festivities to come that day. At one o'clock, my grandmother threw a lunch for about 38 women who are all part of my or Dave's lives at Grandma Taylor's home (which became bridal party central). It was an amazing brunch, so yummy, so classy (all china and silver were used!) All my bridesmaids came in from around the country- and all Dave's groomsmen too. We all met finally at the rehersal and rehersal dinner-- again--- AMAZING and so wonderful. I look back now and just want to savor every moment with each person-- college friends, students, family and family friends from all the far corners of our lives, Dave's friends and family, Wheaton folks... the list goes on!
Rehersal dinner was at Cantingy Golf Course- so elegant and delicious. Highlights of the evening --- the food, the people, stories from all our friends about each of us... and oh yes- the DANCING! This being my first time to dance with Dave in public--- I was very surprised and very amused to see my soon-to-be husband such a fun character on the dance floor... and to laugh and have so much fun with friends too.
A "ladies" shower ended my evening... and as a result I am well-dressed for any evening occassion:)

Saturday, the BIG day. Again, wonderful. I couldn't have asked for better anything. I woke up at Grandma T's with all my bridesmaids surrouding me and taking care of me. My 2 attendants brought me to church for my hair appointment, everyone came for pictures, Dave and I saw each other for a moment before all that happened and were both amazed that we were actually getting married... Everything was so planned, so orderly, so BEAUTIFUL (it was about 70 deg outside, flowers coming out, just PERFECT!) This day I really felt like I was just covered with peace and prayer. I don't think I had one ounce of stress at all. I was nervous about remembering my vows, but got them down, and really just enjoyed the entire service. I think I'm going to have to watch a video of the wedding to remember it exactly-- it's a lot different being in a wedding then wittnessing it, but I can only remember joy throughout the entire day. The reception was incredible... again, I can't say enough about how amazing my family was in putting this together. Above and beyond my wildest dreams. Marriage blessings, speaches and wedding video all wonderful (not to mention the food!! Amazing!). I felt as though I was walking through a dream.. And then it was over... almost. And then there was another dinner at Taylor's house for all the out of town people to gather and celebrate. We stayed for a little while but decided to leave and get some.... "rest."

The theme of our honeymoon.... FAMILY:)
Dave reserved 2 nights at the most lovely hotel in downtown Geneva- The Harrington. We had a room that had a patio next to the river, a fireplace, a jaccuzi, and milk and cookies each night. It was lovely... So much so that we decided to invite out parents to share in the fun:) We had them out for dinner our 2nd night and shared our wine with them (thanks Graham and Kim!) They thought it was great... and so did we:) Next we went to Hilton Head to my grandmother's home at Moss Creek plantation to spend a week recovering. It too was lovely. We loved every moment of our honeymoon-- especially when my grandmother joined us for the last couple of days:)

And finally, back to Wheaton to pack our gifts, wait in eager expectation for my cousin Kristen (my hero of a matron of honor) to deliver her first child.... which didn't exactly happen... but we enjoyed being with family again and celebrating our new lives together. We also changed my name, organized our bank accounts, and spent time with our friend Beth. A lot to be accomplished in a little bit of time.
All of this did come to a close though, with the approaching time of our flight back to China. Which again, surprise surprise... was delightful. I don't know what exactly was in the air of Chicago O'Hare, but everyone was very friendly-- we got our overweight bags through just fine, were upgraded to Economy plus and greeting warmly by our flight crew-- the stewardesses even bought us a bottle of Champagne (on their own bill) to help us celebrate! We stayed in BJ another day to change my passport, which was done without a hitch, and made it back to TJ... which brings me here, with my husband, beginning a wonderful journey.ps. don't feel you have to read all of this!! I just thought I'd try to summarize:)