The Big Day

The day of his Brother's Wedding came. The morning was spent getting ready. We went to get our hair cut and then got ready to celebrate!

In the late afternoon we drove to the ceremony. It was held outside of Bogota in a homey church, that felt very welcoming. We waited outside for a little until the family arrived. As we waited, he introduced me to aunts, uncles, and cousins. All were welcoming, it was a whirlwind of smiles and muy rapido Espanol! Soon after we were seated in the church, the wedding started. The Bride and Groom came in and both looked wonderful. You could tell they were happy and excited for this day.

The Priest started the ceremony. I was trying very hard to listen and translate what he was saying. It was a Catholic Wedding so there was a lot of praying, but then the Priest gave a sermon. He emphasized how marriage is no longer "I" it is "WE". He said after the ceremony they will be One, a Team, you are no longer looking out for yourself, you are a Team, and a Team agrees on what they want to do. I loved the sentiment and the focus on a healthy marriage.

After the ceremony everyone lined up outside the Church and were handed Red Heart-Shaped Balloons. As the new couple left the Church and took their first steps outside as a married couple, a team, as one, everyone released the balloons. They floated delicately up into the sky swaying with the breeze until they were specks of red in the distant sky.

Everyone congratulated the Couple and gave them happy wishes then headed to the reception. We drove a little further down the road to a multi-purpose center that had a huge open reception hall. Once we walked into the hall we were handed Canelazos, which are hot sugarcane and cinnamon alcoholic drinks, very sweet and delicious. The celebration was so nice! The speeches were short and sweet, given by both the parents of the Bride and Groom. There was music throughout the whole night and waiters walking around with drinks to give you so your glass was never empty. In between courses we danced! Everyone made me feel like a part of the family.

During the night the photographer came around to take pictures. He took one with the couple and the brothers of the groom. They asked me to come into the picture, but I said it should be with his family. Then he said the sweetest thing, and I'm not sure he knew how sweet it was. He said "You are my family".

It made me melt. So of course I got in the picture.

There was also a photo booth, where you could put on different silly hats and glasses. The pictures were very fun! We had a good time with the hats!

The whole night was amazing. It was a wonderful first meeting of his family and I am so happy that I got to celebrate with them on such a wonderful occasion!!