Simply Sara: Chris and Kelci: Rehearsal Day

I can't believe my brother has been married for over a month! It seems like he and Kelci just got married last week. Man, time goes by fast. I am posting pictures that my Mom, Dad, and I took so I want to break their wedding weekend into a few posts: Rehearsal Day, Bachelorette Fun, and Wedding Day

Brett and I came home from Maggie and Sam's wedding on January 1st in the afternoon. We had already been on the road for over a week, so I did about four loads of laundry when we got home. Our flight left at 6 AM on January 2nd, and we arrived in Billings, MT around 1 PM. That's one good thing about flying west: you gain time.

We went to Rib and Chop House for dinner. Now, if you read the post about Brett and my trip to Billings last March, you'll see that we ate at Rib and Chop, and Brett was in heaven. I have to say, one time eating a Montana ribeye did not quench his excitement. He was talking about the steak the entire week before the wedding. We met Kelci's family and MOH Deb here. They are so sweet and warm. Conversation was so easy. After dinner, Brett and I went back to Chris' apartment to spend the night and keep him company.

The day before the wedding was quite a whirlwind. We got take out from the newly constructed Steak and Shake (seriously the parking lot was always packed) and went to eat with Mom, Dad, and Oba in their hotel room since Oba wasn't feeling well. Since she's older, she doesn't have the ability to regulate her body heat as well. The climate is so drastically different in Montana than it is in North Carolina, especially in the winter. It is incredibly dry and bitterly cold once the wind blows. It easily cuts to the bone and takes your breath away.

The bride and groom with Oba

Blankets, towels, sweatshirts, and hot soup to try to stop her shivering

After lunch, we met where the reception was being held, conveniently located in the resort where Mom and Dad were staying. While we were decorating, Oba seemed to be fading. She was having a hard time speaking and was leaning to one side. Since she has had some health problems in the past, Mom and Dad decided to take her to the ER at the Billings Clinic (where Chris and Kelci work) to make sure nothing was wrong.

Shortly after Oba was taken to the ER, we had to go to the rehearsal. Dad was the best man so he had to be there. It was a pretty stressful time, not knowing what was wrong with Oba, and not knowing if Mom would be able to make it to the rehearsal or the rehearsal dinner. It's a great thing that they took her to the ER though because the Billings Clinic ended up admitting Oba. Because Oba was admitted, Mom was able to make it to the rehearsal dinner. Although it wasn't ideal, since Oba was in excellent hands at the Billings Clinic, we were able to not worry about her as much during the rehearsal or the wedding day.

The rehearsal was small, but oh so lovely. It was pretty much the wedding party and some extended family. Mom, Dad, and Kelci's parents made a wonderful slide show. Though Chris and Kelci's romance has been a whirlwind, there is no doubt in my mind that God orchestrated the paths they needed to take in order to meet each other. It's truly amazing.