Whenever I fly to Utah, I'm amazed at how many people are flying there for reasons other than my own (to visit family). On this flight I spoke with a couple who was going to a wedding in Las Vegas. I also met a pair of medical innovators who were guest speakers at a conference in Salt Lake City. The woman was friendly, and after she told me about her research, I told her about the upcoming wedding and invited her to check out Temple Square if she had time. I could tell she was somewhat curious about this "Mormon Church," and I hope she came away feeling like, despite being Mormon, I was a nice, normal person. :)
At 11:00, Lori and Matt picked me up from the airport. I used to begrudge the 40-minute drive from the Salt Lake Airport to our house in Provo, but now I appreciate the time it gives me to talk to whomever is picking me up. Matt, Lori, and I talked a lot about their moving plans this spring... they're moving to Batavia, IL. That's just a 2.5 hour drive away from us! Matt got a great economics job with AgCo, a big company that manufactures and distributes agricultural supplies (the "tractor company," as Jared calls it). Needless to say, I'm thrilled with Matt's choice of careers. It's going to be a fun summer with them nearby!
Once we made it to Provo, I introduced Thomas to everyone. I also got to jump on the neighbors' trampoline with Amy, chat with my parents, play soccer with Amy and Nathan, and talk with my brother on his last day of singlehood. I told him that his life was just about to get much happier. ;) He met Kristel at the Alta BYU ward (where I met Adam and Lori met Matt), and she is a great catch. She's kind, wise, considerate of others, and enjoys having fun. She is working now as an elementary school teacher, and, from what I hear, her students and colleagues love her.
Friday was the big morning. The Dicksons all drove in the big white van to Salt Lake City. My cousin AmberLee took care of Thomas while we all went inside the Temple. It was such a beautiful sealing ceremony. What a wonderful eternal perspective I always come away with after being in the temple, especially after seeing a live sealing.
As we were gathering for pictures outside the temple steps, A tall, professionally-dressed woman approached Steven and Kristel. I immediately recognized her face--the news reporter for Channel 5 (the one who always does the Church-in-the-news reports inbetween sessions of Conference). She spoke with them for a minute, then ushered them off to the southeast corner of the temple where she proceeded to interview them about getting married on the same day as the royal wedding. Steven's sound bite must have been good, because they made it on the evening news...
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15339630 (at the end of the video)
And on the front page of the Deseret News...
The wedding lunch was at the Lion House, and the reception that night was at a nice reception center in Lindon. It was fun to see old neighbors, friends, and extended family.
The next morning we woke up to snow! I almost expected to see gifts and a lit Christmas tree in the front room as I descended the stairs for breakfast. We all went to watch Sarah perform her trumpet solo at the state competition at Lone Peak High School. She played a beautiful piece. After lunch it was time to say goodbye. That is always the hard part. As I buckled Thomas's car seat into Matt and Lori's car, I wondered how old he will be the next time we see my parents. I've come out to Provo four times in the last year (three weddings and a funeral), which has been a great blessing. We're not sure when we'll have another opportunity to bring the whole family out. That probably depends on where we move next year. But it's always nice to get together with family, especially to celebrate a wedding.
*Note: thanks to all the families who helped watch Jared and Allison while I was away! We really appreciated it.
