Hydra & Eldur's Perfect Day

11 minutes ago

4 min read

As a person who zips around camp and talks so quickly and is always rushing for the next thing- this whole day feels like it was in slow motion. My memory has frozen snapshots in time. I'd heard so many people say "it goes so quickly- you can't remember it all" I think my mind very intentionally grabbed hold of each tiny thing that it could, knew how important it was, and how badly I would want to keep them, and engraved them in my heart. Moments big and small.

Johnathon came to the basement of the Nest with some extra food for Chris at lunch before the ceremony, and when I said "Johnathon, I need to decide. Am I wearing my "Rain Shoes" or my "No Rain Shoes?" He exhaled and with a tone of conviction declared "No-rain-shoes!" and everyone cheered- and he was right, the rain held off.

Standing in the Nest, alone for a moment, wearing the dress and the veil- when my chest exploded and my brain screamed "You're going to be married in an hour!" I could hardly wait, and could barely believe it. I shook and tried not to cry, standing quietly in the basement of the Nest while Chris tied all the boys ties upstairs because no one else knew how, and there was some sort of suspenders related mayhem. Holly repeatedly popped down to say "Look, we're doing what we can to get these boys moving. Just hang tight."

My dad kissed my forehead before I walked down the old beach stairs for our first look and private vows- and as I got down the first flight of stairs he said "Punk! Don't take this the wrong way, you're beautiful sweetheart, but you kind of look like Darth Vader with the train flowing behind you like that!"

The breath I took before I reached out to Chris, the wind coming off the lake, feeling his deep breath before he turned to see me. How thankful I was that Chris suggested we sit, and the moment I noticed we were both shaking as we shared our vows in the quiet together before the ceremony in the chapel.

The moment we went out to the rock wall, and Chris had his feet at my eye level when I realized he had chosen to wear a pair of thick woollen socks from his winter basket- for our August wedding.

Walking down the aisle with my dad and looking up the hill to see the staff, and immediately well with tears and feel such intense appreciation and love.

Theresa was sharing words of joy and commitment in the chapel when a peal of thunder gently rolled over the lake, I looked up at Chris and mouthed "I love this." and he squeezed my hands three times.

I remember the food, the vows, the eye contact with loved ones. My eyes searching for then finding Piglet in the chapel. Chasm shrugging his shoulders and sharing a fun fact about radioactive waste to kick off the dinner at my request. Titans hilarious anecdotes and throw-backs, the sentimental connection with Crash. The hugs with family and friends. The salad tongs, man, the salad tongs.

The staff frantically pumping up a 9-Square ball for me.

Chris and I singing our hearts out for our first dance.

Chris singing his heart out even more around 11PM to Hamilton.

I will admit when the sun had set and the dancing started I felt like I blinked away 10PM to 1AM but I remember our friends creating a tunnel of farewell out the door by the GaGa Ball pit and serenading us away. I remember stopping under the leaf canopy at the top of the lane and taking a minute to cry the tears I had left and been holding- saying goodbye to our perfect day as I accepted it had truly come to an end. We hugged quietly in the dark while I took my deep breaths before we walked down to Bluehaven as husband and wife.

People keep asking how married life is treating us, "No regrets!" I will jokingly say. But the truth of it is that I could talk forever about Chris. I want every experience to be with him. Every story to feature him. We have built a beautiful life together, and built a beautiful understanding for each other after all these years. Love happens in the right way and in the right time- I'm just so thankful that for us, the time for singing has come.

Thank you to everyone who shared in our celebration whether in person, in messages, hugs, gifts, and butter-tart themed deliveries. Thank you extra to those who worked so hard to make sure it was so especially special.

With Joy,

Mrs. Christin "Hydra" Bridgwater

Photography by Jennifer van Son

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Every worry I had dissolved the day I met our photographer, she captured it all perfectly and was such an important part of our day. Chris and I are so thankful, she has exceeded our wildest dreams every step of the way.