We Made It!!!

Kristen and I come to you from the Man Cave. Since we got married, I moved in to her place and immediately transformed her place into a Guy's Haven. Every room has two HD tv's for multiple sports watching. There are framed baseball jerseys hanging on the walls. I've put up my Don Mattingly poster (favorite baseball player as a kid), I have my wrestling action figurines out, begging Kristen to play, she doesn't. Sad all around. I've made the place my own.

And if you actually believe any of that, I'm also going to convince you that the Loch Ness Monster is real; though I do actually believe that, so that's an indictment on me, DAMN!

Kristen and I are doing great. We had an amazing time at the rehearsal dinner, wedding and on our honeymoon. There are so many people to thank, so if I forget any, I apologize. And since I'm not coming to you from my Fictional Man Cave, but instead from Borders sitting by myself, while Kristen "wines" it up with her friend, Julie, in place of Kristen's fond memories and thanks, I'll take up her cause.

Our parents were unbelievably supportive with their love and constant guidance. Kristen and I were running around a lot days before the wedding and our parents kept reminding us what's important wasn't crossing the things off our "to do list", but to focus on our wedding, family and friends. How right they were. Whether it was at our Mexican themed Rehearsal Dinner or our rain free wedding, I didn't find myself wondering, "Do we have enough candles?", "Is there enough alcohol?", "Why is your Uncle Ralphy hitting on my Granny?" (there's no such Ralphy), BUT I found myself having fun with all my family, friends and most importantly, Kristen.

Our groomsmen and bridesmaids were just the best. There's no other way to put it. I honestly want to enter all of them into the inevitable development television program coming out in 2014 called "Groomsmen/Bridesmaids Road Rules Challenge", and I firmly believe our group would beat everyone else in the competition.

Whether it was Wiedy coming in for 48 hours despite him being the busiest guy I know with work, politics, Big Brother/Big Sister, etc., Christina skipping out of work for 24 hours from D.C. just so she could be here, Aaron Lee and Shana Laflin taking time out of saving lives as doctors, Best Buddy taking time out of saving lives as a nurse as well as being a fantastic mother to Baby Best Buddy Cooper, Kevin Malick taking time out of trying to recover our country from the economic swoon because of his banking buddies (I kid Malick, I know it's not TOTALLY your fault), Kate Shugart coming down from Tallahassee as she's on her way to her eventual Rhodes Scholar (she's one of the smartest people I know), Tiffany Davies from New York City where she braves the cold, and sometimes nasty demeanor of NYC-ians even though she's one of the sweetest people I know and I can't imagine her ever getting mad, Tim Cowan from New York where he also made Orlando another tour stop for him and his "Quest To Eat Around The World" (I was a proud papa wedding day when he ordered, for himself, two full meals and an appetizer from 4Rivers Barbecue), my Best Man Kevin Bachman for coming down from Cleveland, leaving their two month old baby girl behind to be here for anything that I needed (and trust me, I put him to the test with all my errands), and to SuperMOH Megan Denk for exceeding above and beyond being there for all of Kristen's needs, whether it be giving her a drink for a toast, two seconds before "CHEERS", noticing she doesn't have one, constantly "Bustling A Dress" (and I still don't know what that means, and trust me, most guys don't) and making sure Kristen's nerves weren't too frayed beforehand. Thank you to all of you! We can't thank you enough!

I was never really nervous pre-wedding. I took pictures with my guys couple hours before, and we couldn't stop laughing. Here are some of them if you want to take a look, scroll down to the October 25th post.

http://www.ashleymccormickphotography.com/blog/

When the wedding started, and I was walking up to the front, I couldn't help but be emotional. I was a bit surprised. I remember praying to God days before asking Him to give me peace and just take everything in and focus on Kristen. And God helped me for sure!

As I was waiting, and the bridesmaids were walking down, all I kept staring at was the door leading out to the lawn where our wedding was taking place. It's like nothing else mattered to me. I remember fighting off tears (which might make me sound a little sensitive, but oh well). My Best Man Kevin leaned over and told me how proud he was of me. Our minister asked me, "Are you ready for the best moment of your life?" That really got me. Good job Eddie.

When Kristen walked out, I couldn't have ever been happier. She looked gorgeous in her wedding dress. Granted her and her Dad were crying, but she looked radiant. That made me cry a little more.

When the wedding started, I remember only looking at her the whole time. I didn't even really notice anyone else in the crowd. Perfect. There were moments when we casually kissed before we were granted husband and wife and SuperMOH gave us a look like the "Wedding Referees" were going to kick us out, or I was sweating enough that Kristen dabbed my forehead, the thing I will remember the most was looking into her green eyes, and vowing to her and to God that I will be faithful, loving and supportive through thick and thin, and that I will be there for her for the rest of my life. I will never forget that moment.

When the reception started, we came out to Lady Gaga's Paparazzi, and as we were introduced our friends had strobe lights around us acting as cameramen. We first danced to You And Me by Dave Matthews Band. We ate some, drank few, had great Best Man and Maid Of Honor speeches, she stuffed cupcake in my face for pictures, she danced with her Dad, I danced with my Mom, we eventually danced with everyone; including her constantly dancing to booty shaking music with her Florida Gator girls. Looking back on it, October 23rd was the best day of my life. It was the perfect day for me.

The next morning we went to Hawaii where we spent a week snorkeling, eating, ziplining, drinking and eating, swimming, more eating, luau-ing, and drinking, beaching, and eating and you get the point. Granted I ate 70% to Kristen's 30% and now that I'm back, I'm down to four meals a day, Hawaii did something to our souls. We had no timetable, no schedule, whatever we wanted. I wanted to stay out there and never come back. She wanted to get back to Tucker; who can blame her. He made a blog while he was at Grandmom's and Grandpop's...

http://tuckerbachman.tumblr.com/

Kristen posted a lot of Honeymoon pictures on her facebook and she tagged me so they are on mine as well. Please take a look, they are great.

Now, our nights are free for the most part. Nothing to plan, only a lot of great times to be had. I can't wait.

Finally, I knew for a long time that I wanted to marry the love of my life, Kristen Ann Cumming. She has the best and most kind spirit of anyone I've ever met. She's absolutely amazing and I am so blessed to have her be my wife.

I'll get back to writing funny blog entries, but for now, I'm still in wedding glow mode. Thanks Honey. You couldn't have made me happier.

Kristen Ann Bachman...now THAT has a great ring to it :)