The ‘J’ Alphabet Date: Newlyweds In Vegas

When you’re in black slacks with accentuating, off-white pinstripes, everything goes according to plan.

I’ve been struggling with how to write this one up. It was big and important and quaint and cheesy all rolled into a beautiful ball, but seeing as how Heather has already written up the ‘K’ date, I need to just put aside whatever grandiose plan I was hatching and wander my way through this. Aimlessly, some might say I have a habit of doing.

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First things first. We sprang for the limo. Hells yes, we did. It was lights and glamor and flashy and entirely over the top, but not in the Sylvester Stallone kind of way. I didn’t notice if people were staring, but I’m sure they were—if not for the limo, for the dork hopping into the limo with the sexy lady.

The ride seemed entirely too short. We dove into the back, got comfortable, chatted with the driver for a moment or two, snapped a couple pics of our shoes and the next thing we knew, we were meeting Elvis.

We made it to the chapel, which we were informed was across the street from the fictional chapel they built for The Hangover, and got debriefed for our wedding ceremony.

This was what it “came down to”. This was the symbolic turning point we had planned for. This was the celebration of the work we had done to rework and rebuild our marriage. This was a wonderful moment for us.

Spencer’s Vows:

At 5AM all those years ago, when I first asked you asked you to marry me, I couldn’t have imagined everything we’ve gone through. We’ve not always taken the easiest path and I often don’t know where we’re headed. But I know wherever we end up, I’ll be glad that I’m with you.

Thirteen years ago, I didn’t want to wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m proud of you, of us, and of everything we’ve done together.

I love you, and I still want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Heather’s Vows:

I love you, that much has never changed. As we planned this day, I thought it would be about starting over. We’ve struggled a lot over the years and I was sure a new beginning would help us reconnect. Now that we are reconnecting on our own, I don’t want a new beginning. I want it all: the beginning, the middle and straight through the end of our journey on earth. All of it is a part of who we are and the unit we’ve become. It isn’t the intertwined unit I always imagined but I like the path we’ve found a lot better. We walk side by side as two individuals, committed to actively loving the other. Thank you for giving me the freedom to learn who I am and your unconditional love as you get to know me over and over again. Now, I recommit myself to knowing and loving you. In front of God, Elvis and the Internets, I promise to support your passions, encourage your dreams and walk beside you until the end of our days.

The limo ride back was just as short as the ride there, but the novelty had worn off and we just got to enjoy each others company while we also happened to be in a limo. It was all part of the fun of the 40×40 list.

Unfortunately, not everything got to be completed in 40×40 land. Before we even left for the trip, we found out that one of my Vegas trip items was not going to be fulfilled. The roller coaster at the New York hotel was down for maintenance the entire time we were there. In reality, it was barely noticed because I had so much fun that it didn’t really matter that I didn’t accomplish everything on my list. And you know what, it just means we’ll have to go back again.

Next time Heather wants a Star Wars wedding.