It is a special place.
A place where Crocs and Bay Hay & Feed hoodies are dresscode, a place where liquid sunshine reigns, and ferries are normal transportation -- a place I used to call home.
I was so glad I could finally take Calvin to "one of my homes." When your parents are wandering military gypsies, home is wherever  you make it.

Riding the ferry "titanic" style.

My dream wedding reception had always been to have a big "dinner party."
Our Hawaii reception was not your typical reception.
I wanted to know the people at my party.
And, I wanted to actually eat at my reception.

We definitely had a "Big Dinner Party."

There was no dancing or flower throwing or garter ceremony, but it was a celebration we will never forget.
In the Kaneohe Yacht club, only our closest family and friends came.
There was live guitar music and a hula dancer to make everyone feel welcome.
On the tables my wonderful family helped me place photos of Calvin and I attached to ocean rocks. There was sea glass pieces that decorated the tables and flowers. (My aunt Janet and mom stayed up into the middle of the night getting things ready.)
Nikaela sang the most beautiful and original version of "My Best Friend."
We had an endless buffet and the most delicious cake. (The cake was made by Naan who owns the Portuguese bakery)
The parents gave speeches.
We gave speeches.
There was a slideshow of Calvin and I from including baby and child photos.
There was lots of happy tears  during that part.

When we were "sent off" there was no rice or sparklers, but we had the infamous gong pounding and people shouting and cheering.

It was absolutely perfect. It was how I had imagined a wedding reception should be.

After two missions, dozens of letters, and the 147 days between the time of our engagement and wedding day - it was finally here.

It was the Big Day.

I don't know about Calvin, but I had never been more excited and nervous all at the same time.
Perhaps that is why all my brain could think of was the phrase,"This is kind of a Big Deal. This is a Big Deal! I'm getting MARRIED."

I know I was not very eloquent,  but I did know the importance of marriage and that it was a big step in my life to marry the love of my life.

It was a rainy day on the morning of August 10th, 2013. It didn't bother though me because my whole philosophy of wedding planning was, "as long as we are sealed in the temple, I don't care what else happens." Honestly Calvin and I would have temple-eloped in March or April, but we wanted to come to Hawaii. It just seemed fitting.

We arrived in separate cars just a little bit late. I ran into the temple waving an umbrella over my head with a few minutes to spare and quickly got dressed. I slipped into my mother's wedding dress like I had practiced so many times before. However, this time was not a dress rehearsal, it was for real.

In the sealing room it was the most peaceful feeling. Surrounded by family, friends, seminary teachers, young women leaders, I felt like everyone in that room helped raise me. A little piece of Heaven.

The sealer talked about how Calvin and I had both been born of goodly parents, just like Nephi. He told how many young couples don't make it to the temple, but because we had good parents who loved us and taught us values, we were able to stand as a couple over the alter ready to make eternal covenants.

And then we were sealed.

Coming out of the Laie Hawaii temple as husband and wife

Love.

A rainy day is a great day for marriage.

We were living the life of the rich and famous.

My wonderful amazing parents secured us a private bungalow close to the beach for over two weeks. 
And a car. And food.
I felt like we won an all inclusive trip to Hawaii for two.
It was magical. 
I feel like any words used to describe a wedding or honeymoon are going to be cliche. 
But it's ok because the honeymoon really was like something from a fairy tale.

We had so much fun, we forgot to take photos.  Chinatown, hikes, beach time, adventures on the North shore, shave ice, snorkeling, Shrimp trucks, fireworks, Pearl Harbor, waterfalls...
By the end of the time we were sad to leave. 
Calvin kept saying, "I could live here."
I kept saying with a smile, "I did live here."

I made Calvin promise that we would come back for our ten-year anniversary.
He pinky-promised.