Several months ago, I got the call I had been waiting for from my oldest friend, Dana. She squealed into the phone that Matt had proposed and she was officially the future Mrs. Pung!
They settled on October 28th, and I booked a ticket. Honestly, she could have planned the wedding for the same date as the first day of school, and I still would have been there! I miss birthdays and holidays and other weddings and celebrations far more than I like. But this would not have been one of them.
I did Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday, then flew into Michigan on Wednesday. I wanted to squeeze in a bit of family time before going full wedding mode. I also had a fair amount of graduate school to knock out before the weekend as well. But by Friday morning, I was ready to play bridesmaid again. 
Friday was the nail appointment, picking up rings, final packing for the honeymoon, checking into the hotel, and repeatedly checking the 'bride bag' to make sure everything was (still) there. To say Dana was excited is putting it mildly! But her excitement, as always, was contagious!
We headed to the venue for the rehearsal and final preparations. It was an adorably renovated old chapel that had all the country charm and coziness you'd imagine. A perfect venue for Dana and Matt. They had a huge wedding party of 7 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 2 ushers (maybe 3?), and of course the flower girl and ring bearer. We didn't even all fit on the stage!
Matt and Dana both have huge families and Dana was hoping that old rule of '20% of invited guests won't make it' would be true... but I am not so sure it was! That is just further proof though of how fantastic these two are, and how excited people were to see them join together! The next day, as Dana walked down the aisle with a huge smile on her face, and Matt fought back tears in his eyes, I know all of us ladies up there were fighting back the tears too. Maybe even some of the guys as well. As the officiant began the ceremony, we chuckled as Matt repeatedly whispered, "that is the most beautiful wedding dress I've ever seen. You look absolutely beautiful!" We cheered as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife and then partied the night away alongside them.
I've known Dana since childhood. Babies, really. I can name many of her old crushes and past flames. I can recall conversations with Dana gushing about these boys and me hating on them for one reason, or many. Dana may be older by a few months, but I'd say we have been equally protective of one another. Matt came about after I had left for college, but from Dana's stories and the interactions I had with him, I could tell he was different. 
He challenges Dana in good ways, compliments her silly side, and doesn't take advantage of her overly-caring heart. He supports her independence, protects her when she is insecure, and stands alongside her as he should. He knows Dana is something rare and special in this world. And for a friend like Dana, and an opportunity to celebrate a love like that, flying half-way around the world is nothing. 
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