It almost felt like the night before Christmas with all of the anticipation, excitment and my inability to sleep before the wedding.

Our rehearsal dinner the night before was incredible and the best part about it was that my in-laws planned the entire thing – I loved it! We had a cookout dinner with an ice cream bar (my in-laws know me so very, very well!!!) at Medallion Country Club and everything was delicious. The weather was perfect for a cocktail hour outside and there was plenty of grass for the kids to run around.

My new family

After dinner, my father-in-law gave a great toast that made me teary and so appreciative of the family I’ve joined and then my mother-in-law played a slideshow of photos of Nick and I. The cute part about the slideshow is that she showed the parallels of our lives (piano lessons, sports, OSU Engineering graduates, etc.).

I spent my last night as a single girl at my parent’s house laughing over a glass of wine, trying to make (crooked) directional signs for the reception with my mom and sharing a few emotional tears. I can’t really imagine how they felt but I know my primary emotions the entire weekend were love and gratitude. I owe my parents so much for everything they’ve done for me and their example of unconditional love!!

I'll always be a Tanner regardless of my last name!

 – Mary