So I am home from our trip to Poland which was for our Church wedding. I find myself completely daunted by the prospect of describing it here in my blog. Words just won't do it justice, but not writing anything isn't an option either. I will skip writing about the rest of the trip until I finish this post because I really want to finish this before my memory begins to fade.
First of all, I want to express how much it meant to me being accepted into Monika's considerable family. I found my head spinning when meeting everybody trying to keep track of how we are now related. I think pretty much everybody got labeled as aunt/uncle or cousin. I want to actually write down the family tree at some point in an effort to get it straight in my head. I also find I don't have the words to appropriately say thank you to my new parents for an outstanding wedding and an incredible trip to Poland. Getting married to Monika was the best day of my life back in October, and now I have another experience just as special. I know how much work goes into planning a wedding, and everything was just perfect. Whoever ends up translating this blog post, please convey how deeply moving the experience was for me. Marrying Monika is the best thing I have ever done, and the celebration surrounding it will be something I treasure for the rest of my life.
Ok... now for the run-down.
Things began on Sunday (Aug 9th) with me waking up to Monika and her mother already being out of the house. They had hair appointments, which meant I was able to relax and gather my thoughts with Mom over a cup of coffee. It would turn out to be the only quiet time I would get for the next 40 hours or so. (No... that is not a complaint! I loved the excitement.) Once Monika got home, it began. The make-up artist showed up to the house and family began to trickle in over the next couple hours. I broke away and got dressed in my tux that I had carried in a garment bag for 32 hours on our trip to Poland. Thank goodness it still fit! It was very odd getting ready in such a full house. Our last wedding... I took my shower and got dressed in a hotel room by myself before heading out to the wedding. This was the opposite. As I tried to lace up my shoes, people were knocking on the door asking questions. Asking if I was ok... etc. It was also odd to see Monika all day since we got ready separately here in Vegas. I have to say I liked this better.
Around 1 in the afternoon we were ready. With our photographer giving instructions in Polish the day began. It started (in the living room) with me getting down on a knee handing Monika's bouquet to her. Then while on our knees, her parents gave us their blessing. Then we walked out the door with the best man, maid of honor leading the group of family behind us... a band started playing in front of the house. It was a quartet that I know included an accordion as well as a saxophone. Beyond that, I don't remember what else. The entire front of the house was decorated with balloons and people were stopping on the street to clap for us as we climbed into our horse and carriage. Renatta and Thomek (I know that is spelled wrong), rode with us as we made our way to the church. As we rode through the streets of Poland, cars honked their congratulations and children ran outside to wave to us. It felt like we were in a parade. It was a very very awesome experience. I am smiling just thinking about how proud I was of being a part of this. I had the most beautiful woman in the world next to me and we were going to get married.
We arrived about 20 minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin at 3pm. As we walked up the steps leading to the cathedral we were greeted by tourists and family members all congratulating us. I tried to take it all in as Monika whispered in my ear who everybody was. Honestly, I couldn't catch it all. I was overwhelmed already by the experience and was trying to burn every moment into my memory. I knew I would see all the family again at the reception.
As the time of the ceremony grew closer, the rest of the wedding party headed off to their places while I stayed at the entrance to the church. At this point, I was joined by four knights in full armor. Yeah... you read that right. Knights... in full armor. They were lead by Andre who I had met the year before (as well as on this trip). Andre is Monika's cousin and I guess he has a full set of armour along with knight friends who agreed to be in the wedding. Very very (VERY) cool. Fortunately for me, Andre speaks English and was able to give me instructions on what I had to do and when I had to do it... Until Monika would meet me at the end of the isle.
Music started and before I knew it, the ceremony had begun. I was speechless as I walked down the aisle of this ancient cathedral. I had a group of knights in formation behind me. I was surrounded by family who had already accepted me sight unseen. I was in Poland... I was marrying my Monika... again. As I smiled at everybody while walking down the aisle... I just took in a very very surreal experience. It was amazing. Like I said before... I don't have the words to describe it... Not even close.
After the rest of the wedding party joined me, the real ceremony began. It was a full catholic mass which meant the ceremony was a full hour. Since it was all in Polish, I really thought I was going to be bored. I am happy to report that was not the case. While I didn't understand all the parts of the ceremony, it gave me the time to savor what was happening to me... to us. It gave me time to appreciate the setting, the music, the tradition. One note about the music... We had an AMAZING singer who is very well known in Poland. I won't even try to spell her name here, but I will find a link at some point to information about her on the Internet. It was like a scene out of a movie with the ceremony and the music.
The part of the ceremony involving the vows was the only I part in English. Another of Monika's cousins (Alexander from England) took on the task of translating the parts of the ceremony where I needed to respond. He speaks like 20 different languages, so he was definitely the right choice here. He did an outstanding job even though I could tell he was a little nervous.
After the ceremony ended and the bride had been thoroughly kissed, we headed back out of the church. The sea of smiles we walked through warmed the heart and I couldn't wait to get to know everybody better. After we got outside the church, Monika and I stood together with our maid of honor and best man at our sides. Everybody who had attended the wedding then formed lines and congratulated us while giving us their wishes. In Poland, instead of hugs from the women, they do the three kisses on the cheek thing. I like it, but I think my cheeks were almost raw by the end of the line. (Again... not complaining.) As people handed us gifts and flowers while giving us their wishes, I had Thomek whispering in my ear the translations to English. What really touched me was that since everybody knew I was American and didn't speak Polish... Many from the family took the time to learn how to say their wishes in English to me. I know it wasn't easy and I could tell some were nervous which made me appreciate it even more.
Eventually it was time to move on to the reception, but before we left... we found ourselves standing together surrounded by family and friends who were smiling and obviously very happy for us. I can't really describe what a good feeling this was. It just was... and I won't forget it either.
Monika and I along with Thomek and Renatta headed back down to the horse and carriage that would take us to the reception... But that is the subject of another blog post.
Again... to everybody who made this day so special to us, thank you. Thank you so much....
--Chris
Sorry (again) for the lack of posts... Just a lot going on in our lives at the moment. Chances are that if you are reading this you have already seen my Facebook updates lately with pictures. But in case you haven't seen them... below are links to the recent photo albums I have created.
As a change of pace this weekend, Monika and I decided to pack Buffy into the truck and head off to do some hiking. A good friend of ours is crazy into it, and it sounded like it would be a nice way to get us some exercise. Our first attempt was on Sunday with a couple that mentioned off hand they were going up to Mt. Charleston to do a "short little hike" with their dogs. Monika and I decided that this "short little hike" would be a good way to ease ourselves into the hiking world.
I know I promised I would blog while here in Poland, but it isn't looking like that is going to happen for a few days. Until then, I have posted some pictures up to Facebook. Don't worry... there will be more pictures from the wedding, but since I was a major participant in the ceremony I couldn't exactly be whipping out my camera every three minutes to take a pictures.
Yeah yeah yeah... I know. Sorry. I do plan on blogging though when we are in Poland for a couple weeks. So that should hopefully kick-start me adding content regularly... We shall see.
