A Mama couldn't be more proud

Peder is one of my oldest friends. We've been friends since the DOW days of 7th grade, along with his twin brother Martin. Our friendship in the beginning consisted mainly of Pedro practicing his wrestling moves on me, but he has always been there for me and I can't imagine him not in my life. Peder & Martin gave me the nickname "Mama Bean" and it has stuck - they even made me an apron in high school! I have such wonderful memories that include Peder, but I unfortunately missed out on one of those opportunities to make some wonderful memories - I had to miss his wedding, which was in Virginia on New Year's Eve (please click on "wedding" to see the professional photos from the big day in VA!)



Peder has gone and found himself an amazing woman. Macy is basically the female version of Peder: caring, kind, committed, "earthy", beautiful, and funny. I even know that Peder & Macy will take "earthy" as a compliment! It was even more heartbreaking that I couldn't be there for his wedding, because Peder asked me to be a part of it and stand on his side. What an honor - Peder is the best!

Peder has a lot of East Coast love from going to school in Virginia, his father living there, and Macy being from the area as well. But Peder has even more Left Coast love, so he threw a Redmond party as well, and I wasn't about to miss that!

I flew in for a short weekend trip and showed up at the Sammamish Valley Grange to help set up for the party - we turned that square dancin' hall into a beautiful Winter wedding wonderland.


Before...


Tien and Caroline lining the walls with pictures


After!


Cheryl, Tien, Corene and Martin


Caroline, Cheryl, Corene and Tien

After setting up, we all went home to spruce up and then made it back at 7 for the party! It was great to see everyone - Martin flew in from Maryland, Tien in from San Francisco, Caroline up from Portland, Horia, Corene, her fiance Dave (blog post on THAT soon!), Heidi, and Justin Kirk and his adorable girlfriend Annie. We snagged a table together and sat down to eat the dinner prepared by the Gordons - lasagna, salad, and bread!

Peder works with a group called YoungLife - if you're unfamiliar with it, click on the link above - it's basically the perfect job for Peder! Peder has met some wonderful friends through Younglife, and those friends put together some songs and sketches for Peder and Macy. I could tell that Peder and Macy really enjoyed all the skits their friends did for them! Afterward, there was music to dance to, dessert to be had, and catching up to do.


When you haven't been together for a while, it's important to document the event with some serious group photos.




See?


Do I often make this face? If so, why has no one told me to knock it off?


Peder may be an old friend, but Tien and I have been friends the longest - 22 years and counting, baby!!! By the way - thanks for letting me steal all your pictures Tien!


Conor wasn't able to come down for the weekend, but had he been able to, we would have taken one of these pictures.


I really like Caroline. She'll kill me for putting this picture up, but I love it.


I told you I like Caroline. Horia too.


I had wonderful plans to photoshop my face over Tien's because I can't believe I didn't take a Brakke sandwich picture. But Tien is too cute to do that. Oh, and I'm way too lazy. And I don't have photoshop. And I don't know how to use photoshop.

Peder & Macy - congratulations on the marriage - I think you two are absolutely wonderful, and I am so glad you have found each other! I can't wait to make it out to the Shire!