Aunt Michelle, who was marrying into my family, handed me the basket full of beautiful pale pink flowers, moments before I sprinkled them down the aisle. I wanted to live in that moment forever.
I woke up on the morning of my aunt’s wedding. Sharing a room with my cousins, the sun beaming through the windows lighting up the room. I was the only one in there, all my cousins already left. I neatly made my bed and got dressed, putting my Flower Girl robe overtop of my outfit. The soft silk sliding perfectly on. I heard my cousin, Eli, calling my name from the movie theater room in our Airbnb.
I excitedly ran into the other room to see him watching our movie, The Bee Movie. We sat down and watched it all together cuddled up under a blanket. All of us, Eli, Madden, and my brother Tyler. At the time, I was the oldest at the age of 8. Our parents came into the room telling us that breakfast was almost done.
We hopped up and raced up the stairs, the smell of freshly made pancakes and crispy bacon flooding our noses. We sat down at our own table on the balcony and ate breakfast with a gorgeous view of the ocean. Tyler and Madden went to go take a nap and Eli and I quickly put our bathing suits on and jumped into the pool.
We swam around playing a bunch of different games, our family coming in and out of the pool. It got to the time of us getting ready and we reluctantly got out of the pool. We all got our bags together, suits and dresses neatly packed, as we headed to our separate bridal suites. We drove up to a beautifully decorated white building, flowers lining the windows and the railings.
I got out of the car and walked up to the building, looking at the once again gorgeous view of the ocean. We walked inside to the smell of fresh flowers and febreeze floating around the house. Several suede couches lining the walls with fluffy blankets draping over the backs of them.
My mom and aunt poured me a glass of sparkling cider as they poured champagne for everyone. The loud popping sound of the bottle, followed by cheering and the bubbling from the drink pouring over the edge.
I sat down on the couch, talking to my aunt’s friends about school and if I’m excited for the wedding. I felt so grown up and included around them.
The time passed so quickly and soon enough, it was my turn for hair and make up. I sat down in the raised, cushioned seat that they had. Lish, the hair/make-up girl, is one of our close family friends. She got started on curling my hair first as the rest of the wedding party made a toast. It took her about an hour to do my hair but it looked prettier than it ever has.
She quickly did my make up, as there was not much to do since I was so little. I hopped off the chair excitedly and watched everyone in awe as I spun in a circle.
Everybody got dressed and we waited for my aunt to come out in her dress. The door knob to her changing room slowly turned and we all, without meaning to, held our breath. She walked out in her long, white, and lacy dress, looking like something from a dream. We packed everything up into the car, piled in neatly, and got ready to go.
Pulling up to the beach, seeing all the chairs and family seated in the perfectly arranged seats. Butterflies appeared in my stomach as I waited for my time to walk out.
I walked down the stairs to the beach, my feet hitting the warm sand immediately comforting me. Everyone turned to look at me as I started walking down, pulling out their cameras and whispering in admiration. I had the biggest smile on my face and nothing could take that way.
I will never forget the excitement I felt that day. I will never forget the way everyone watched as I sprinkled the flowers, when it was my turn to introduce the bride. I will never forget that big house which is now filled with the ghost of our laughter and memories. I will never forget being pampered which made me feel so grown up. I will never forget the theater room where we spent so many nights. I will never forget how close we all were that week no matter how long we go without seeing each other. Never.
