In June I left the students and colleagues and school I loved since the day I stepped foot on the campus as a visitor. There was something different about that school. Maybe it was the Montessori method, maybe it was the beauty of the campus, maybe it was the autonomy of the students and teachers...I am convinced it was each individual student, parent, and teacher all coming together to create that energy and feeling. They love learning, they love people, they are creative, they think outside of the box, and they are global citizens. It was a privilege to be part of that community for almost six years.
Two days later, Sergio flew out from Utah and helped me move in with my parents for the month before we would get married. I left a city I love, and friends who mean the world to me. It was all a bit surreal, but I also love and welcome change and new chapters. I soaked up the two weeks with my parents, sisters, niece, and nephews on the Central Coast. I knew this would be my last time with them as a free, single me. I tried not to stress too much as I prepared to co-lead (thank goodness for Kaitlyn, best co-leader in the world) a group of volunteers to Zambia. It was a trip I had taken twice, but leading and coordinating travel and volunteer experience was new. This all as I planned a wedding that would take place less than two weeks after returning from the expedition. Oh, and a move to Nice that would take place three days after the wedding. All with fingers crossed that chronic Lyme would not flare and leave me in bed.
I was blessed, immensely.
The experience and lessons of Zambia this time around were different and unexpected on a personal level. I am going to venture a guess that other members of my group felt similarly. My biggest takeaways this time around are that we are all much more similar than different, and that there are no easy answers for the difficult questions; no easy solutions for the biggest problems in our world. I started to consider the possibility that sitting in the uncomfortable reality of suffering that does not have an end in this life, and life really isn't fair...just might be the beginning of solving some of the bigger problems. Am I willing to consider that there are not solutions to some problems in this life, but still work toward finding them if it means I can alleviate the suffering of another? These are questions that arose. How do I contribute to suffering? How open is my heart really? Are my personal practices and everyday choices a bigger part of the solution than I give them credit for? What is my role in all of this? I don't have complete answers for any of these questions. I think right now I need to be considering what the questions even are.
I fell in love with these boys. They loved learning and showing me what they were doing in school.
Didn't know me, didn't speak the same language, but grabbed onto my hand and looked at me like 'so what are you gonna do to make things better, huh?'
Showing off their academic skills. Mothers Without Borders' new school!
I may not have had enough time to process Zambia. I most definitely did not have enough time to process Zambia, before I was thinking about guests, accommodations, nails, packing for wedding and move, how much I would miss my family and friends, and how excited I was to start this new chapter with Sergio.
Hip hop shower with green smoothies. The best.
These good souls did the hard stuff.
The day came, and it was perfect. Even, and especially, in its imperfection...it was perfect. Heather, who had sworn she was stuck in Israel eyeball deep in Hebrew classes, showed up the morning of the wedding. A best friend who means the world to both Serge and me. Tressa, little sis who was the embodiment of her thrift-store-found tank 'Team Bride', lifted stress and injected fun and laughter just with her presence. Friends traveled across the country and down the coast to support, but even more to make the whole thing happen. It truly would not have been what it was without the people there. That was what made the perfection. The documentary crew made the added stress of making an intentionally understated wedding part of a documentary all worth it. My only regrets were not spending more time with each person. My triumph was staying present and in the moment. Soaking it all in.
So many small meaningful things came together to make it more than I could have ever asked for. Most of all, I knew the man I had chosen was the right one. The ceremony brought me out of all the excitement and into the peace that is eternal families. I am grateful to know that we started on that path, and that I can trust him to stay on that path with me.
It was all over too soon. I thought I would be anxious to be beyond the stress of hosting 80 people who I care deeply about. But as we ran through the rice, I wanted to turn around and give each of them a hug and tell them all the reasons I loved them. I didn't...but I spent the next little while writing cards to a lot of them:)
Fergress, saver of the day, and soul (and blood) sister.
I got to spend my last single night with these besties. Love them to bits.
On our way out of the ceremony.
Dividing up my 'bouquet' (the real one was left behind) amongst the flower girls.
The group. People who mean so much to us.
I love this family of mine.
And these girls of mine. Melinda, Tara, and Claudia, where did you go?!
Ahhhh....my favorite place. The temple too.
I'm giving full credit to Serge for this turning out well.
'I love you, Aunt Melissa!' One of my favorite moments, maybe ever.
Miles the MC of the century. This guy...
And he made me ugly laugh.
Wonderful second set of parents.
Her genuine, love-filled words were so reflective of the essence of her being.
Mom and Dad:)
These men have been pivotal figures in Serge's life and I'm so grateful for them.
So grateful that Uncle Malcolm made it.
Food truck amazingness.
Melinda made the most beautiful cake.
Documentary!
No idea what's going on.
The bouquet ordeal ended up being perfect.
Ten minutes of dancing to shut it all down.
Getaway car!
Rice for weeks. Still finding it in our apartment weeks later.
Serge planned the perfect honeymoon, which started with perfect imperfection. First flight was cancelled, miraculously got to second flight in time. Second flight detoured halfway through due to a passenger death. Third flight was missed. Suitcase was lost. I was sick much of the time. And his response to it all and to me was the perfection. We toured Ireland, England, and Scotland, and were not afraid to let ourselves sleep in and detour unexpectedly for exploration and adventures.
Ireland!
Irish coast...
Scotland
Glencoe
Ireland
Guiness Lake
Ireland
St. Patrick's Cathedral
8 hour emergency room madness in Ireland
The flies. So many flies...
The majestic Cliffs of Moher
The Limerick castle
Snowdonia
Preston temple
Glencoe rando hike
After three weeks of traveling, we finally arrived in Nice, in our first home. It feels so inexplicably good to have a home. With a husband who I love being with. In a place where I can walk ten minutes to go for a swim in beautiful clear blue warm water. I don't speak the language, and I am excited to get back to teaching...hopefully kids, and hopefully Montessori, and my health is unpredictable and not ideal, but I am happy. And grateful. And present.
Quick walk from the train station for a breath of fresh air...Paris!
First meal in our first apartment
The water is so beautiful
First night in our new home!
