A short month ago, my best friend had her fairy-tale wedding. I swear it was just yesterday Jackie and I were living in the C-Plex in San Jose, (occasionally) getting to class, always dressed in our SJCC volleyball sweats, having themed parties at the baseball boy’s house, and living a care-free and college experience. We were so fortunate to be recruited together to play volleyball in Hawaii. Moving to the islands would have been a vastly different experience without my best friend, teammate, roommate and sister by my side. Attached at the hip, our daily schedules blending together, wake up, weight training/gym, class, volleyball practice, home, schoolwork (again, occasionally) dinner, re-run episodes of FRIENDS, sleep, wake-up, repeat. I can honestly say that I spent almost every waking second with this girl and can’t believe we were never at each other’s throats! Our friendship was precious and easy from the get go and it’s beautiful to know that distance and time doesn’t change that. Getting to Chicago and seeing her and the other California bridesmaids, we click instantly and don’t skip a beat.
But time has passed, things have changed, and we are all growing up and (hopefully wiser) following very different paths, which made coming together for Jackie’s wedding all the more beautiful.
5 days in Chicago were jammed packed with wedding festivities, and being a part of the bridal party meant I got to spend a lot of time with the beautiful bride, and her equally gorgeous bridesmaids, my ladies from California and Ted’s lovely sisters!
The day of the wedding was miraculous from start to finish. St. Joseph’s, an opulent and grand church, was the site of the ceremony. Seeing Jackie walking down the isle, pulled at my heart strings and I was overcome with emotion. With both her loving father and step-father at her side, her usual big and bright smile seemed to stretch even wider across her face, and her eyes could only see what was waiting for her at the end of that (very long might I add) isle. Glancing at Ted, I could see that Ted had that same tunnel vision. Less than an hour later, and with the few words “I Do” , Jackie Tedesco became Jackie Rosinus.
Party time!!!!
The reception was at The River East Art Center and from cocktail hour to the last dance, the black tie-affair was nothing but classy. Amazing food (bringing in goodies from each of their respected areas, Chicago & San Francisco), dreamy decor and views of the river, personalized touches from both the bride and the groom, and the most kick ass band that got everyone on their feet and kept us on the dance floor till we eventually had to retire.
The next few days had me exploring Chicago on my own, walking miles around the city, taking in an architectural tour of the famous river, trying to stay warm despite the wind and chilly fall temperatures, and happily exploring an environment so different from my everyday.
I know this won’t be the last time I am in Chicago, sooner or later Jackie and Ted are going to start a Rosinus brood and there is no doubt I will return for that! Jacks, can you do me a favor and be pregnant around Lollapalooza? Kill two birds with one stone? 🙂
