Alaskan nuptials

   Last year I was lucky enough to travel for the second time to a  place a lot of Americans never get to see, the beautiful state of Alaska.  One of my best friends, Amanda, got transferred there through her career with the US Coast Guard.  And she was blessed enough to meet her forever person, Fabian.  Fabian and Amanda had a whirlwind romance and got engaged.  I was even privileged enough to know right before the proposal that he was going to ask.  Not long after, Amanda asked me to be her maid of honor and of course I accepted.
  I thankfully got the time off work to go and flew out to Anchorage, AK on a Thursday morning.  The flight to Alaska from my home state of Indiana seems neverending.  I finally arrived after an extremely long day of traveling and met up with Amanda.
  The next couple of days we spent hanging out, catching up and preparing for the big day. We actually had the rehearsal dinner on the top of a mountain and it was nothing short of breathtaking.  Later that night we got the venue ready for the big day.
  The following morning we ordered a hearty breakfast at a local Alaskan restaurant and then rushed off to the salon for a day of beauty and girl time.  Amanda, her sister in law, sister, niece and I got all glammed up for the big day.  It was a really nice day of pampering.  
  We got to the chapel in the mountains with plenty of time to do the finishing touches and help the bride into her gown.  She looked exquisite.  We lined up and took our strolls down the aisle.  I did my best to keep it together but when Fabian read his vows I was so enthralled with the expression of love and admiration to someone I love and adore, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.  Before we all knew it, Fabian kissed the bride and they were hitched!
  The reception to follow was nothing short of a party!  The food was fantastic and the drinks were strong.  The couple hired one of the groom's friends to play music and sing; he even sang them a song he wrote especially for the day.  Halfway through the reception came time for the speeches.  I nervously blurted out the words I had
strung together and worked so hard on.  I did my duty as maid of honor and fought back the tears this time.  The rest of the night was a mix of fun, laughter, dancing, cake, and love.  The end of the night came much too quickly but I couldn't have been happier for the newly married couple.  Everything turned out perfectly as it ought to.  
  I spent the next day with the bride and her family lounging and enjoying each other's company.  My time in Alaska came and went entirely too fast but I enjoyed every second.









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