jake off the rez: t&t 10.29.11

October 29, 2011 my dear cousin, Tricia, was married to Tony. It was a sweet ceremony with beautiful music, a great message and a lot of love and support from all who attended. I was Tricia's maid of honor. This was quite the honor. I have been in a few weddings, but never the maid of honor. I took this role quite seriously, planning (with my awesome aunts) a bridal shower and bachelorette party. I had a pair of silver TOMS sent to Tricia as her wedding gift, unfortunately they weren't worn-in enough to be comfy for the actual wedding night. :( Also, I attempted to write a speech that would both entertain and educate the guests at Tricia's wedding reception. For those of you who weren't in attendance, here it is:

Hello everyone, I would like to thank you all for being here today to celebrate this beautiful couple: Tony and Tricia Knutson!

I am Jacque Smidt, Tricia’s first cousin, friend and today I am proud to be her maid of honor. For those of you who don’t know, Tricia and I were born one day apart—I like to think that she really struggled in her first day and a half of life, because I wasn’t in it yet… So, Tricia and I met in our first days of life, as a matter of fact she was waiting in the hospital room right after my birth delivery. Since our days at Olmsted Community Hospital, we have had a special connection and relationship. A friendship unlike any other I have ever had or will ever have. Pish and I have been through so many things together—the worst would probably have to be the well known days of the bowl cuts, thanks a lot Mom and Becky.

Since the bowl cut days, Tricia and I have had our fair share of experiences that kept us close and at times separated us more than we would have liked. A few months prior to the death of our Grandma Jeannette, Tricia and I somehow got back to the closeness that we had as children. We would talk quite regularly through text messages, various social networks, e-mail and the occasional late night phone call. After Grandma passed, we really depended on each other to get through that time.

The following summer, Grandpa Arnie agreed to let me be his roommate for the season. The day I arrived Tricia was waiting on 2^nd street to tell me all about this nurse from Pine Island. He was unlike any man she had ever met. He was kind and sweet. He loved the outdoors. He loved children. He was smart, had a good job and most importantly he had great taste in beer. She wanted me to meet him as soon as possible so that I could give him my seal of approval. Of course I agreed to do so.

And so I met the infamous “Murse”. He was, eh, okay. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks later, on the day of Willie’s 21^st birthday that I was one hundred percent sure of this man. Not only did he seem to fit the entire list of great personality characteristics previously listed, but man oh man did he have patience! The remaining months of the summer slipped by us, filled with great times working here at Willow Creek, movie nights and wonderful summer evenings on Grandpa’s front porch. Not only did I get to know Tony, but I got to know what would become Tony and Tricia.

At Tricia’s bridal shower, back in early August, we were asked to introduce ourselves and offer a piece of relationship advice. As we listened to our mothers, aunts, cousins and dear friends share their experiences and wisdom on the topic of marriage I started to get nervous as my turn approached. As a single woman, I could not think of anything to say—which is not a normal fear for me. As I stood and listened to all of these wonderful women, it hit me—you must remember the relationships that we have grown up seeing. We have learned to love from some of the experts in the field. From Arnie and Jeannette, Barb and Clarence, Becky and Buck, my parents and all of our other aunts and uncles and 2^nd street family we have learned all there is to know.

So please, Tony and Tricia, accept each other as you are and for who you are. Keep God in mind at all times. Do not keep secrets from each other—but if you do, and when they are found out, forgive each other. Start a family and fill it with all of the love you have to give, and not one ounce less. When you are disappointed or discouraged, take Amy’s recycled advise from Jill, and remember what it was that made you fall in love with each other in the first place. When the going gets really tough, remember the words of the late, great Kurt Vonnegut: Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, there is less cleaning up to do afterward.

I would like to thank Becky and Buck, Alan and Cher for this wonderful weekend. I would like to thank Patricia Lynn Fredricksen Knutson for including me in such a big way on such a big day.

Tony, it takes a special man to be able to put up with Tricia, but more importantly our family. We are loud. We are nosey. Each and every single one of us is right—no matter what we’re talking about. But most importantly, we have a love for each other like no other family in the world. I am excited to officially welcome you to it.

Patricia, although you are now a 25 year old married homeowner and proud mother… to a cat… I will always remember us as those two girls with bowl cuts, walking to the Stewartville Public Pool with popsicle-stained-mouths, talking about boys. To you both, I wish you the best life. Take your time and enjoy the small things.

I raise my glass, and ask everyone to join me in wishing you happiness, love, and longevity in this most exciting journey. Cheers!

Tricia worked hard to incorporate all of our cousins, which was a thoughtful gesture that worked out beautifully. Something I really liked about this wedding was the bulletin. Next to each member of the wedding party was a description of the relationship between that person and Tony/Tricia. I thought this was a very personal touch that didn't leave the guests wondering much. There was a bit of drama the night before the wedding.

Going through David's Bridal ended up being a bit hellacious. There were many problems for Tricia and I when dealing with them. The dress I ordered in July came in in August but I wasn't able to try it on until I arrived the day before the wedding--it didn't fit. Not at all. It was the size I had tried on and that the attendant had assured me would be fine in the model we were ordering. Not so. Luckily Liv, one of Tricia's bridesmaids, was able to get ahold of DB and found a dress in my size and the color we needed. Though my dress ended up being a different material, the shade was just right and luckily I was the MOH which made it "okay" to be different :) Thanks to Dad and Matt for keeping me calm and as far from a breakdown as possible!

We had great-aunts and great-uncles from afar who came to celebrate with us. Also, our Uncle Johnny his wife and daughter were able to come from Oregon. I am fully aware of how blessed I am in all aspects of life, but days like this really put it into perspective. Words can't express how much it meant to me to see all of these people and to be such a big part of such a special day.