So if you haven’t heard, Kelly Anne and I are nearly famous models in Vietnam. Well maybe not famous, but we did become models. If you want to read our story, Kelly Anne has a better way with words, so read it HERE!
(My part wont make sense if you don’t read her story)
I didn’t want to try and recapture the day’s events when KB did such an amazing job. So I am going to write a list of all the things I would like differently when I get (hopefully) get married.
1. My wedding day will NOT start with me leaving at 5:30. This is completely unnecessary if anyone wants me looking fresh and beautiful for my wedding.
2. I’d rather not have to call a taxi to get anywhere. Especially one that honks at empty intersections as he is flying through the streets.
3. I will have my dress picked out before the big day! It happens to be a big stressful ordeal if you can’t find a single dress that actually fits your whole body. Granted, I was in a Vietnamese shop, that carries dresses for small Asian women. But still.
4. On the dress note, trying on dresses in a small store, with no family and especially no specific guy in mind, it’s completely different. In my head when I try on dresses (for real) I will have a specific guy in mind. My fiancé if you will. But I will be trying on dresses, wondering if he will like it. So when it’s just you, a teammate, and 3 Vietnamese women, the feeling of trying on dresses is just something… It’s awesome and hilarious, but not magical. Anyways, just a side note.
5. Make up will not be caked on my face on my wedding day. It also should not be as white. But Asians really like whiter faces, so I’m not surprised that happened. But holy cow, make up makes you sweat extremely large amounts.
6. My hair is going to be up. End of story. This hair is not made for the gorgeous wavy locks down the back in every cute wedding photo. I wish it was, but the reality is that my hair is barely there. And the part that is barely there, sticks to every bead of sweat on my back. Props to those who have thicker hair and wear it down!!!
7. Speaking of hair, once it is curled and whatever done, I don’t think riding on the back of a scooter, with a helmet, for 30 minutes is the best thing. Sorry for all the work put into this, but its now gone to the dumps. Again this hair isn’t good for much.
8. Underneath the dress, flips flops from the Philippines are not going to be the first choice! Tennis shoes maybe, but no flip flops. Walking is hard as is, but add a wedding dress with layers, and you made me have a challenge.
9. My dad was right. Having a dress, and it was strapless, that does not create lady like actions. Having to hoist up the dress constantly because if not you might bare all is NOT lady like. Definitely am rethinking that choice of dress.
10. Also I do not want to have to tuck in long jeweled sleeves into the bodice of my wedding dress. Yeah that was not fun.
11. Hiring a photographer that speaks English. I feel like this might be self explanatory. I don’t know how to pose and take decent pictures so I need help, and playing charades is hard enough without the ‘modeling’ part too.
12. I’d like to have my fiancé/husband in the pictures with me. Crazy thought I know, but it gets lonely in the bushes by yourself. Plus what am I supposed to do with my hands?!
Things I Found That I Liked
1. I loved having a wreath made of some random tree vine wrapped around my head. I had always loved the look of a ‘woodland princess’ and wished I could pull it off. But when I strutted my stuff with a wreath on my head, I thought “This isn’t so bad”. Plus on my wedding day, I can do what I want…..right?
2. I LOVED being in the water! It was clear, and even had fish swim up to me. Granted I was terrified of the fish getting caught in my dress. But the dress looked so different when it was following the water’s ripples. Didn’t like the wetness after I got out of the water, but it was worth it.
3. I love riding motorbikes. I have never ridden a motorcycle in the states, so it might be different. But all the bikes that I have ridden on in foreign countries, has me wanting to reach out my arms, toss my head back, and just relax. There is something freeing about riding on the back of the bike. And finishing up the photo session, it was amazing to just relax on the back of the bike, reveling about what in the world just happened. And then you ride into the city, and question if you will make it home alive. All adds to the rush!
(this screen shot of my face captures what happens when you come inches away from losing your knee to a charter bus)
4. Doing this gave me confidence. Granted I was to the point of wanting to work out for the next 3 years straight after trying on dresses, but when I was in the ‘forest’, I felt confident. And I was reminded that God gave me this body for a reason. It wasn’t made in a small frame to fit into Vietnamese gowns. And that’s ok with me. I stand a lot more in this body of mine. For example, when Jack sprints towards me and then koala hugs me, I can stay upright. (Koala hugs are both arms and legs hugging the person….and Jack is about my height too)
This experience has been crazy. God was woven through the entire experience. Whispering confidence in my ear when I didn’t have any. Or whispering His love for me, when it was just me standing out in the water. God doesn’t have to give me a wedding, or a husband. God is enough. Period. And this was just another of His reminders that I still have to cling to that fact of God is enough. God’s arms are the first and last that are wrapped around my heart.
