Weekend in St. Louis.....

I managed to have a great weekend in St. Louis even though I had to make the trip by myself. Steve stayed back as he was singing/playing guitar in the wedding of some of our friends here in Madison. He wouldn't have been able to get Monday off of work to go with me to St. Louis anyway, so it was good that he had something to keep him busy while I was away. He had quite the weekend of bachelor parties, BBQ's, golf games and wedding festivities.

I had a great time in St. Louis for Chad & Erica's wedding even though I was bummed that Steve wasn't able to join me. Sunday morning I was able to visit our old church and catch up with a lot of people all at once. After church Amy and I headed to the Four Season's at the Lumiere Place to deliver food to the lovely bride. I've never been to the Lumiere and was very impressed. The views were amazing (see above picture) and the hotel very nice. Erica was getting her makeup done when we showed up and even in just a robe and with her hair back in a ponytail she already looked gorgeous. She was literally glowing and it was so sweet.
I was super excited to see that she was going to be wearing "the veil." This veil has been passed around to the all the girlfriends and if I remember correctly this is the 5th wedding it's been in. Missy wore it for her wedding and I did for mine as well. It's super special to have this little tradition. Next we just have to get Nadia married off and wearing the thing.
The ceremony was beautiful and decorated so tastefully. Erica looked so pretty and couldn't stop smiling the entire time. I am just so happy for her and Chad. They are complete opposites, but so perfect for each other. They balance each other out beautifully and I love the Erica has finally found a man that is truly worthy of her love. Whenever I'm at a wedding for someone I really care about I tend to get really emotional, because I'm just so happy for them. I'm proud to announce that I managed to make it through the entire ceremony with only shedding just a small tear!
After the ceremony I hung out with Nate & Jamie before heading over the reception. They had such a unique reception, it was held at the Third Degree Glass Factory - a place I had never been to in St. Louis. Before the couple arrived they had glass blowing demonstrations for all of the wedding attendees. It's such a nice place with a great atmosphere. It was fun to hang out with friends, but the time went by way to quickly!
Every time I go home I just am reminded at how irreplaceable my friends are. I especially miss my close girlfriends and feel kind of lost now that I don't have them in my life on a daily basis anymore. It's been good that lately I've been able to see them once a month, but I still can't help but feel super sad every time that I have to leave them and come back to Madison where the close girlfriend factor is definitely missing.I spent Sunday night at Dan & Amy's and it was good to hang out with them. I went out for breakfast with Amy on Monday and then stopped by to see Missy and the kids for awhile before I had to take the lonely drive back to Madison.
I can't wait to go home again next month to see everyone for Nathan & Nicole's wedding.
In the mean time, we'll have a few busy weeks! Nadia's coming to visit on Wednesday night and then Steve M and Nate are coming on Thursday night to spend the weekend and then Jess P coming the weekend after that. I love having friends come to town! The goal is to eventually get them all to love Madison so much that that can't bear the thought of living in St. Louis any longer and end up moving here. Hopefully my plan will work!