Congratulations, Mrs. Brown!!!

April and Glen Brown... or is it Glen Brown and April Barkley-Brown?

Yesterday one of my best friends got married! April and I are sorority sisters. April and I didn't have an easy bond at the beginning. We really didn't even like each other. The funny thing was, we were together for the biggest events in our Chi Omega time together: We were initiated together. Secretly in pairs. April was my partner. Then we spent time in seclusion until the next pair joined us. Awkward when you're not really friends. Now the second event is really in 3 parts. Part 1, In early 2000, April and were named Rho Chi leaders to represent Chi Omega during the 2000 Fall Rush. Basically we were chosen to help new students navigate through their way through the Rush process visiting each sorority house. It was a huge honor to be entrusted with. April and I started to bond over the impending work when our Chi Omega National President visited. (Part 2) It wasn't good. Nationals was closing our house. Shutting down our chapter. Making us find a new home. April went on to live with one of the worst roommates in history, and I ended up with another XO and a a runner-up for the roommate list. And Part 3, April, myself and our XO sister Katie ended up in the worst Religion class ever. We hung out together during and after class, joked about our rough beginnings and became great friends and sisters. 
So... one of my best friends got married. She kissed some frogs to find her prince. Glen is a good man. He is kind and generous and supportive. He loves my friend sincerely. He understands her history and appreciates the woman that she has grown to be. I am grateful that she has found the love that she deserves. They will build a life together, a family. Their wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun. She looked amazing. And I didn't suck at miniature golf nearly as much as I was used to. (Yes, there was miniature golf at the reception held at Toad Valley Golf Course. Unlimited if you could handle the 96 degree heat and the 1 million % humidity. I didn't even venture to the course until 8:30 pm. And it was still hot.)  Anyway, it was a blast. Chi Omega women all together. Husbands hanging out together at the table. I just realized that Scott and I didn't even dance once. Weird. But we mini golfed together. That's enough, right? 
On a side note, I just want to give some notice to my husband and sister. Scott has blossomed so much in the past almost 8 years. He isn't afraid to talk to most people and actively goes out of his way to join the group. Last night he sat on the sidelines a bit, letting me laugh and dance with all of my friends. I had a wonderful time, and he's to thank for most of it. My sister Shannon graciously took care of Weston most of the day since the wedding was at 1 pm and the reception started at 6 pm. Weston had so much fun and cried when she left this afternoon after our visit to Mom. He literally spent all day Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with her. Mom and Dad were supposed to watch Weston this weekend, but her health hasn't let her leave the hospital yet. So Shannon jumping in has helped us out so much. Kudos to Scott and Shannon for making my weekend so wonderful.

Chi O girls after the ceremony at St. Anthony's in Des Moines:
 Me, Jayme, Brandy (bridesmaid), Liz, and Marci.