May 6th 2006 was the day that Tyler and I were sealed in the Portland, Oregon Temple for time and all eternity. The night before was a peaceful one for me. I was able to sleep well and my usual anxieties were at ease. Tyler spent the night at our good family friends’ house, the Pickett’s. I spent the morning getting ready at my parents house. Since we had to be to the temple an hour earlier than our sealing time, I woke up around 8:30 am. I took a shower, fixed my hair, finished my makeup and dressed myself in some church clothes to wear to the temple. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly. In fact, even my mom mentioned, “We aren’t forgetting anything are we?” After we had gone through a quick checklist we finally came to the conclusion that we hadn’t forgot anything. When everyone was ready we all piled into the van. We drove to the Pickett’s house to lead the way to the temple for the Howard family. Traffic was moderate and so we were able to make it to the temple in a timely manner. Once in the temple, I was escorted by my mother and another temple attendant to a private dressing room. That room is where I was able to dress and get ready before and after the sealing. Although I can’t recall all of the words which were spoken in the sealing room and I can distinctly remember the intense feeling of peace and happiness which overcame me. Tyler and I sat on a bench in which I was seated to his left while the sealer spoke. Each of our mothers was on either side of us. Sitting directly in front of us were our fathers. I remember hardly wanting to glance in my dad’s direction because I could see tears streaming down his face the entire time. I knew they were happy tears and I could feel that he was extremely overcome with emotions of his little girl becoming one with an honorable man in the church. I knew that my dad was well pleased with Tyler and our decision to be married in the temple. I could also hear my mom sniffling a little as well and see her and my mother in law (Teesy) dabbing tissue near their eyes and noses. It was such a special moment for both of our families to experience. For the first time our parents were able to see their eldest children marry in the temple. Tyler and I knelt across from one another over the alter and listened to the covenants that we were making. I tried to choke back tears. My heart felt like it was exploding and my entire body felt nothing but love. I looked into Tyler’s eyes and at his face, which was smiling. With our hands intertwined together we were able to promise great things to one another and to our Heavenly Father. After the sealer was finished speaking we were given a room full of hugs. I didn’t quite see, but became aware that even Tyler was crying a little bit. Although, who wasn’t? After the sealing we went to our dressing rooms and dressed ourselves for pictures outside the temple. As Tyler and I exited the temple we were bombarded with a round of applause, smiling faces, and camera flashes. We made quite the stunning couple, with me in my wedding gown and Tyler in his tuxedo. We were even fortunate enough to get some good pictures. For the first hour, taking pictures was alright, maybe I even dare say fun, but soon enough I was ready to eat. Tyler helped me get seated into the little dodge neon and we drove over to Country Buffet for the luncheon. I don’t think that it had occurred to either of us until we were finally alone in the car that we were married! After everyone had stuffed themselves full we drove back to Vancouver and waited at my parents’ house until the reception. I contemplated whether or not I should change into some comfortable clothes until the reception, but decided it was too much hassle to get in and out of the dress. Tyler and I rested on my bed chatting and before long it was time to leave for the reception. The room looked beautiful and all of our hard work from earlier had paid off. There were white lights strung across the ceiling with tulle draped across them. It created a more intimate mood for the reception. The tables were covered in white linen tablecloths and topped with blue fabric gathered in the middle. On top of every table was a low clear glass bowl which had green grass growing out of it, along with some green moss covered balls. There were halogen lights tucked in each of the corners to provide soft, mood lighting. The buffet tables were draped in white linen table clothes and had vases of tall grass arranged in them. Also on the buffet tables were smaller lamps to offer additional lighting for all the food. We served delicious pasta salad, green salad, fresh fruit, dinner rolls, chocolate covered strawberries and a lime slush punch. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as Tyler and I spent most of our time trying to greet and speak with all of the guests. Wade and Karen Pickett, who were unable to attend our sealing and reception because of their kid’s college graduation, made a beautiful slide show for our reception. We had our first dance as husband and wife, I had a father-daughter dance with my dad, and then Tyler had a mother-son dance with his mom. When the night was finally coming to a close, Tyler and I dressed into our street clothes to head off for our honeymoon night. We said one final goodbye and thank you to everyone and drove off.
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