Sibling Love

Gigi's Girl

Bickel Isn't Single Anymore!

In September, my dearest friend Heather, text me this picture.

At first I thought "Aww coffee and her newest man."  Then I saw the ring, the most gorgeous ring ever!  It dawned on me that she had finally found "the one."  What?  Someone got her to settle down?!  No way?!

Heather is a dear friend from college.  We took education classes together, skied together, and so much more.  When her dad died, I flew to Oregon and we skied together to remember him.  

She has asked me to be a bridesmaid and I elated.  Well actually I think I first ask, "Are you sure you want me?"  LOl.  I told her I'd be there but we don't always hang out like we used to:).

This is how she described our relationship on her wedding website:

Katie Hawk, Bridesmaid 

Oh Miss Katie- my soul mate. Never met a girl who can shred the slopes like she can, who can talk cars and politics like she can, who can discuss current affairs and do everything required in a home from decorating down to choosing the best insulation.
Katie and I met in college and quickly made a connection being that we were the biggest daddy girls that either her or I had encountered. Katie's family lived near by our school and they quickly took my family and I in. My dad would fly up and we would do daddy daughter ski days with her and her pops. Katie just didn't steal my heart, but my dad's too.
Katie's heart has no boundaries, if its for each and every kid that sits in her classroom or for the friends and family members in her life there is no limit. After the losing of my dad, Katie came to take me skiing for the first time, when my mom had her back surgery, Katie flew down and sat by her bed side. Katie has the ability to connect with anyone and make people feel special and at ease. She has been given a spirit of graciousness and compassion, she shows it daily in being a teacher, mother and friend. As I said before, there is no boundaries to this girl's heart.
She if full of life and spirit, and her laugh, well her laugh, is making me smile just writing about it.
An amazing mom, teacher, daughter and friend this girl wear's many hats and wears them with beauty and grace.

  WOW!  I have never felt so loved!  It's easy to know what you do wrong in relationships but when someone describes you with such love, I was just touched and a bit tearful.  I want to remember these words on the bad days:).  Heather is the type of person that we can go months without talking but when we do, it's like we've never been apart.  She loves and embraces me for me.  She knows my faults but doesn't dwell on them.  When I'm with her I feel like the most important person in the world.  Cherished.  Loved. Valued.  She is an amazing person with an amazing energy!  

College Times

Skiing in remembrance of Heather's Dad  

Beers too of course!

And now her wedding.

She sent the agenda and off we went!  I will admit, I didn't read the second, or was it third agenda as closely as Jared.  Luckily he knew what was going on.  Gotta love my detailed beaver!  We flew out at 6am on Friday morning which means we were up by 4:30am.  Thank goodness for Jared, my task master, and Starbucks we made it on time!

My happy travel companion:).

 Her event was at a venue called Juarez Canyon.  It was this cute little western town with a park and a creek running through it.  The best part was Heather hired decorators to set it up.  We came early to help and it was nice to have them directing us.  

We got a text from Heather that the decorator was running late because their truck broke down.  When we headed to the venue, we had hoped they were there but they weren't.  We toured the place, caught up with old friends, and had a drink!

After we helped with what we could, because the decorator ran 2+ hours late, were put to work immediately when they arrived!  

Taking a beer break after decorating the venue

Then it was off to the rehearsal dinner.  Now Jared had been working like a dog!  Taking down signs, hanging lights, you name it and he did it.  He was such a help and always has the best attitude but he was SWEATY because it was 97 degrees or so, with little breeze.  So we jetted back to the hotel to shower and change.  

Then we got lost on our way to the rehearsal, yes even with GPS.  LOL.  Traffic was a bit heavy, we were late, and the rehearsal dinner had started.  Mind you Heather told me it was casual but you will see her casual:).  I should have known better!

Josh get's the bachelorette's final rose:).

The next day we found out we missed out on the after party, Heather's favorite part, because we headed home too soon but we were thankful for the sleep!  It was a long day in the heat!  We started off with pedi/mani's at 9am with wine.  My favorite!

Then mamma Bickel and another bridesmaid headed to the venue!  We were running late with 2 bank stops and a Starbucks run but we managed to get there 15 minutes late.  The one hair dresser was there and started on our hair but then we heard about a wreck that had caused the other hair dressers and make up artists to be late.  And from then on, we were running late.  They finally arrived but the wreck happened at a point where there is only one way into the Canyon so everything was backed up.  

But first, a few pics to show off the venue!

The ceremony took place here:  

The guests were greeted by this

Since it was a rustic, outdoor wedding, the fireman's hose let to the port-o-potties which they classed up with doors, seats, and a vanity.  LOVE!

The venue looked like this after it was decorated

Bride & Groom's Table

The creek, benches, a fire...what more could you want?  

Games of course!

Doesn't this look like the best venue EVER?!  

Back at the bridal sweet, the hair dressers/make up artists finally arrived and we were at least 45 minutes behind.  We rushed to get the bride ready.  The mother of the bride was really behind.  I think she made a few pictures...I hope!  

The gorgeous Heather was getting her final touches put on.

The girls got their hair and make up done.  I really enjoyed this!  It's not very often this mamma gets pampered anymore!  From fake eye lashes to pedicures it was a wonderful day!

The bride and I

This was the only picture from the wedding I could snag off of FB of the actually wedding ceremony.  Here is Heather escorted by her brother and mother:).  

(My photographer was off saving the wedding with the late caterer and well everything else;)).

The bride, mother of the bride, and groom.

She did not want to sit on the stage:).

This is the groomsmen I walked down with, Kyle.  Heather said she put Kyle and I together because we were the fun ones... and we were!  We twirled down the isle and messed up rehearsal practice.  We added a bit of flare that wasn't there otherwise.  While he and I played, our spouses organized the event from timing us perfectly down the isle, getting more water/ice, to just filling in where needed.  They worked so hard but we were all tired by the time the reception hit!  98 degree weather for 2 days didn't help either!

I knew I was going to need a tissue for this wedding and I did.  I cried watching her mother and brother walk her down the isle.  While most may have cried at the vows, it the piece of her missing father I couldn't fathom.  This is her first dance with Josh.  

And then came the father/daughter dance.  With no father, Heather chose to dance with 3 men who were like father figures growing up and ended with her brother.

Peter

John

Sven 

(all I could do was think of the reindeer from Frozen when I heard his name:))

Her brother Josh

(Yes, her husband now is Josh and her brother Josh.  They kept calling him the real Josh Bickel)

After that there were speeches from the best man, matron's of honor, and her brother spoke.  He teared us all up mentioning the late Tim Bickel and how succinct he would have been at Heather's wedding.  "I love you; I'm proud of you; and Josh if you hurt her, I'll hunt you down!".  It was so sweet and inspiring but no one could hold back a tear.  Linda, aka mamma Bickel, couldn't talk but she help her composure so well.  

Then it was dancing time!  

Skiing isn't the only passion Heather and I have, dancing is on the list as well!

Not gonna lie, we danced and danced until the sound curfew at 11pm and I loved every minute of it!  Jared and I danced a lot and I danced with the girls.  It was truly one of the funnest weddings I've been to in a long time!  I didn't get a pic of Jared and I but I'm sure some will pop up later:).  One of my favorite memories was when Jared and I were dancing and Turn Down For What started to play.  Now Hudson has been singing this all year and doing some "moves" but we didn't know the song.  Well when it played, Jared and I looked at each other with eyes wide and light bulbs on and we knew what he was singing.  We laughed and laughed.  Jared of course asks "Where did he hear this song?" basically accusing me and I said school.  It is a zumba song that Lexie and I dance to so I just smiled.   Now I will admit I miss my "adult" music and love listening to it when I run.  That's "me" time away from Veggies Tales and the kids tunes:).  We enjoyed dancing to it thinking of our boy moving and grooving!

Last but not least, this is my hot date for the weekend.  Yes I did go for the cheap Toyota Yaris at first, because I was being frugal, but I had given Jared such flak about renting one earlier this year for work,  we opted for the upgrade knowing we were in charge of picking up some food.  

Luckily this was our upgrade.  Not bad huh?!

It was a wonderful weekend with my favorite guy in the whole world.  It made me realize how lucky I am and appreciate Jared in so many more ways.   We enjoyed celebrating with a friend as her new journey begins.  We danced, we laughed, we enjoyed one another's company.  Heather's goal was for her wedding to be a fun date night, and it was!

Cheers to the bride and groom!  You two are full of fun and adventure!  

I can't wait to see what your future holds!