Sealed

After a lifetime of prayers, every youthful fasting plea, and every childhood wish on every star, I was finally able to be sealed to my parents on October 25th. 

Marlene was so sweet and took such good care of me as she got me all scheduled and set up for my appointment. It was odd to be doing a live ordinance for myself. It’s not often at all that we have that opportunity and I hadn't really thought about it that way before. They just changed the process and I had to meet with Bishop Wiest and President Darrow, and everyone was supportive and encouraging and I just love the gospel.

Everyone at the temple was so kind too and it really did make me feel so special. 

I was so happy to have Alecia and Josh and Chantell and Dan. 

We sealed my dad to his parents first and then my parents together and then me to my parents. 

I had so much adrenaline coursing through my body that I was cold and shivery. I was literally shaking until the sealer pronounced the sealing. And then I was calm. Crying, obvi, but no longer shaking. 

I had prepped myself that I was gonna cry and probably ugly cry (and I did!) and that it was fine. I’m big on no one should apologize for crying, and that goes for me too. Matt did mention later that he was a little surprised that I was so very emotional. It's like he doesn't know me at all.

It's such a beautiful thing to have the blessing and privilege to be able to seal my parents together and to be sealed to them. The Lord answers our prayers, even when those answers come very differently than we hoped and/or take 47 years. 

After, Alecia and Chantell had some family names and the officiator switched out who would serve as proxy. Matt and I were the last couple and the wife’s name was Mary. All through my temple hopping in Utah, since we did so many baptisms and we didn’t bring family names, there was always a Mary. Little precious hugs from my mom, letting me know she was there. 

I had prayed to be able to feel my parents there with me and know they were happy and open to the ordinances we performed. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t have any strong impression or knowledge. But then there were so many little things and as I reflected on the day, the spirit said, but didn’t you know? And I did.

After we went to lunch at Pacci's, the cute little Italian restaurant right by the temple. I’ve seen it there for 16 years as we’ve gone to the temple and I’m so glad we finally ate there because it was delicious. 

It was just a perfect, prayers answered, the veil is thin, families are forever kind of day.