Wesley's Blog: May 2015

This past weekend was one of the most memorable ones of my life. While it was an exhausting 48 hours from Friday to Saturday, I wouldn't have changed a thing. It all started Friday when I had to catch a flight at 8 AM with my mom and Ashley to New Hampshire for my hooding ceremony. After arriving to Manchester, NH, we stopped by the school so I could show my mom around the building. After a quick tour we grabbed some food and drove an hour to Rindge, NH to the main campus where the ceremony was being held. It was great to see all my classmates again after not seeing most of them for nine months. The ceremony was short and sweet and it was even more memorable to have my mom, Ashley, Uncle Kevin and Auntie Karen there to support me. Although I already had my diploma it felt even more official to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy after the ceremony. After pictures we took a quick stop to a house Caleb and his family rented for some food. We didn't stay too long because we still had a flight to catch so I could make it back for Eugene and Grace's wedding pre-wedding festivities.

After arriving at BWI, I went straight to the hotel to meet up with the rest of the wedding party. This was only my second time being in a wedding and the first time with friends. I was really looking forward to the wedding because I'm not only close with the groom, Eugene, but also the bride, Grace. I was also good friends with most of the bridal party. Friday night we watch the NBA playoff game that night, ate Chinese food, played Heads Up with Stacy the clapper and went to Maryland Live for a bit.

We woke up around 10:30 to get ready because the photographer and videographer were arriving around 11. We left for Stacy's house to meet up with the girls to go to the first look spot. I was one of the three drivers and had some precious cargo in my car, mainly Eugene, I guess Cristina and Jane are precious cargo too. We got to the first look spot and the photographers took some pictures of Eugene first before Grace arrived. It was so amazing to be able to witness the first look, and just to see the genuine love that they both have for one another. We took more photos of the wedding parties and then proceeded to the wedding venue. The entire day we were tracking the weather because there was a 50% chance of rain. While it did rain, the rain was as perfect as it could have been. Nothing short of God's grace, the rain held out perfectly til the end of the ceremony and rained during the cocktail hour which was supposed to be indoors anyway. After the rain stopped we proceeded to reception for the festivities.

It was an amazingly perfect wedding, everything more or less went smoothly. It was a privilege to be a part of the wedding and even teared up when Grace and Eugene honored their parents during the ceremony.

Eugene and Grace, I wish you nothing but happiness in your marriage. I will continue to pray for the both of you and am truly blessed to call you both my good friends. I know not much will change except Grace's last name, and I'm looking forward to continuing to spend time with both of you. Thank you again for letting me be a part of your special day.

Lastly, on Sunday at 5:52 AM, my cousin, Anna had her first baby and I am now considered an uncle! (I know it's not my sister's baby but Anna is like another big sister to me). They gave her the name Maya Lin Reilly, and it's time to spoil this kid with Redskins gear. What an amazing 72 hours.

Graduation pictures: