Wedding Weekend Miracles

Well, our whole wedding was a miracle, really, but a few things happened over the course of the weekend that really were amazing...

WWM #1: My brother Elsworth saw the capybaras at the zoo swimming and playing together in the water, then climbing back onto dry land. This goes into the "miracle" category because most people (including myself) have never been lucky enough to see a capybara in the water or interacting with another furry friend.

WWM #2: Caitrin, Amanda, and I went to pick up the Community Car on the day of the wedding, to drive it out to the place where we were getting our hair done. I had rented a convertible, and it was a super nice day, and I thought to myself, "I wish I could put the top down! Too bad I didn't bring a ponytail holder, though; I don't want a huge tangle of hair." And just as we were approaching the car, there was a ponytail holder on the ground! Miraculous! Don't worry, I didn't use it-- Caitrin and Amanda wouldn't let me. Amanda luckily had an extra one. In the photo below, you can actually see the ponytail holder...

We're married!

That's right, it's official! The wedding was perfect... many thanks to all of you who contributed in so many ways! Pictures to come... We're on our mini-moon in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, enjoying the winery and the gorgeous weather.

It's almost here!

Just a few days to go... we can't wait to see you! If you're in Madison on Friday, please do stop by the Essen Haus and say hi! And if you're in the mood for setting up on Saturday, give us a call and we'll put you to work! Come hungry... my mom and Karl are already firing up the grill!

Two weeks and counting!

It's hard to believe that in just two weeks, we'll be married!  We're excited to celebrate with you! 

Three weeks to go!

The big day is just three weeks away!  We can't wait to see all of you at the wedding!  

Meet the Groomsmen!

Karl's brother Dale is a firefighter in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.  He and his wife, Shannon, have a sweet dog named Rambo.  Dale, Karl, and several other tough guys enjoy annual fishing trips to Canada.  

My (Amanda's) brother, Elsworth, is a librarian in Washington, DC.  We went to library school together, and we were both on the world championship-winning book cart drill team, Dewey, et al For My Baby (shown below, just after sweeping the competition in Chicago in 2005), and on the library school's kickball team.  The last picture in this post was taken while Elsworth was still in the hospital after being born.  Our grandmother, Adrian, is holding him, and the little blonde girl reading to her newborn brother is me!  No wonder he became a librarian!  

Meet the Bridesmaids!

Caitrin and I met right before we started our first year at the College of Saint Benedict, on an orientation canoe trip.  We've been friends ever since; we love to knit, make jam, reminisce, and of course sing our favorite song, "Saint Benedict's Ever."  Caitrin lives in Denver with her daughter, Macie, who is in first grade.  This photo was taken right after our canoe trip, in 1995.

Amanda and I met in library school.  I remember the day we became friends: at a Jail Library Group meeting, we began commiserating about wishing we could live in Star's Hollow.  Soon after, we began a long-standing Tuesday night Gilmore Girls date.  I was lucky to work with Amanda for one year in Monona.  We co-wrote the "Lit Bits" column for the local paper, featuring children's book reviews and personal anecdotes.  The above photo accompanied our column on detective books.  Amanda lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with her husband, Mac, and their ever-expanding collection of furry friends.  We're planning to run the 2009 Madison Marathon together!