A Kansas (and Swedish, of course!) Wedding...

A couple weeks ago (thanks to a last-minute flight voucher) I was able to make it back to Lindsborg, Kansas ("Little Sweden USA") for the wedding of my friends, Cody & Majkin.

I met Majkin my freshman year at Bethany, and was delighted to find a kindred spirit. I remember that I told her the first time we met that I had heard she was an incredible French horn player -- she responded by snorting, looking shocked, and giggling; I wasn't sure if I had offended her or talked to the wrong person... :)

(I later discovered that this giggling was typical, and a basic part of who she is... very distinctive, that giggle!)

Turns out, we were alike in a lot of ways, had a lot in common, and -- handily enough -- lived right down the hall from one another! As that first year passed, our group of friends converged and expanded...

... and I will never forget the Deere Hall East ladies! :)

(l-r) Chrissy Sturges, me, Majkin Holmquist, Aubrey Streit [whom we kidnapped from ASH, and then enthralled -- I'm sure -- with late-night/early-morning drives to Grandma Max's while screaming Avril Lavigne lyrics... lol], and Sarah Littleton.

All through our college years, this group remained close -- which doesn't mean there weren't the good times and bad... but the fact that we can take a picture like this seven years after that Deere Hall beginning shows something, I think. :)

I love these women, and they are/have been true friends.

This was in the basement of the Salemsborg church, getting ready for the wedding... Majkin's hair was beautiful -- sporting her daisies, of course!

Sarah and I were readers in the wedding (along with Stephen, a friend of Majkin & Cody's who flew over from England). Sarah -- thankfully -- is still located in Kansas City, and has been a HUGE blessing with her extra bedroom!

According to her, one day I'll finally attend KU, and live there permanently... ;)

Chrissy and Aubrey were bridesmaids -- and quite classy in their dresses, if I do say so myself! All the bridesmaids were able to pick their own style of dress, which was nice...

Majkin and her mother putting on the finishing touches before the service began...

Ah... can you just see the orneriness sticking out?!?

(l-r) Eric, Cody, and Dan before the wedding began...

Leaving the wedding and getting pelted with wheat kernels -- it's what you do, right?

Personally, I think marshmallows would be softer, not as itchy, and then you could snack on the ones that get caught in your hair, the folds of your dress, in your suit pocket, etc. :)

Molly & Tyler -- two Bethany (and Lindsborg) friends, who are an incredible duo -- both vocally and as husband and wife!

That was another great thing about this wedding... our entire group of friends (almost everyone... seriously) was present, and it was a joy to be able to catch up after such a long time!

The reception was at the Holmquist farm, with chairs and tables spread out on the lawn in the soft light of an early Kansas evening in June... it was beautiful, in other words. :)

These two women above (l-r: Kristin Van Tassel and Linda Lewis) are incredible teachers and wonderful friends. They have both inspired me, encouraged me, taught me, and shown me how to eat, sleep, think, breathe, and love literature...! ;)

Right before I left the reception to head for home with my family, we took a picture of all the wedding guests who had attended Bethany... and this was the number! My camera lens couldn't capture everyone, but it was neat to see how many people have been/are connected with the school and also connected with these families -- roots run deep here... as in so many other parts of the country. :)

So -- Majkin and Cody -- thank you for a lovely time, and I am so grateful I was able to celebrate your wedding day with you both and all of our friends... in person!!! I wish you both the best, and will continue to pray for you... :)