The next day was the wedding, and it was cold and rainy, rare for early September. Rebecca was radiant, though, and it was so wonderful to see her happy.
It was somewhat of a roommate reunion - Alanna and Joey, who got married the month after Brandon and me, and Carrie all came. It was great to see them all!
While waiting for pictures outside the temple, my friends Cory and Emily and their kids suddenly appeared! They live in Philadelphia and were visiting a museum nearby so they had parked in the temple garage, since it's free. It was perfect timing and so fun to see them! Their second son, Owen, took a liking to Brandon right away.
In between the sealing and the reception, Brandon and I had lunch at Sabrina's Cafe, a restaurant we'd fallen in love with on our last trip to Philly. It did not disappoint! Also, how cute is that man? I love him so much.
We were cold and wet, but I was so happy to be there with Rebecca on such a wonderful day. She was such a beautiful bride and is such a wonderful person. She and Joseph seem like a great match!
The next day, we walked to church in Philadelphia, then drove to Gettysburg that afternoon.
Gettysburg was incredible. I was struck by how absolutely stunning the area is and could hardly believe somewhere so beautiful could have once been the scene of such harrowing death and devastation a century and a half ago. It brings me hope to know that those gruesome scenes have given way to gorgeous countryside and moving monuments to bravery and dedication. Through Jesus Christ, every bad thing can be overcome and work together for good if we allow it to. Even our own battlefields can become beautiful memories if we trust in and follow Him.
The next day we finished our drive home. We stopped in Wheeling, West Virginia, where we saw part of the original National Road and explored the historic area. Wheeling was where West Virginia officially split from Virginia to become its own state - essentially because they refused to secede from the Union, as the rest of Virginia was doing. This was also a major route for commerce in early America days, including slave trade. Disapproval of slavery was so strong in Wheeling, though, that they eventually moved the route farther south. This is why I love road trips - such cool things to see along the way!
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