Turtle Bay
Mallerie, Katrina, and Heather came over bright and early Tuesday, March 15th, for Heather to do Mal's hair and make-up. Heather was the poster maid of honor. Seriously. She was Mal's right-hand gal all day. I was way impressed, and she kept pulling out surprises, including a song written for the couple that she played on the ukulele and sang during the celebration dinner.
I knew Mal and Gav were putting together a wedding playlist. I texted Mal and requested "Heart's Content" by Brandi Carlile. I loved listening to that, and other wedding songs create a feeling of excitement the morning of the wedding.
My make-up bag is a bit of a joke in our family, even for me. I tote around duplicates of all I might need. I travel about once a month, so it is very handy. Well, on the wedding day, my make-up bag saved the day. "Do you have any primer...highlighter…bronzer…dry shampoo…" Whoever was asking, whatever they were asking, I had it all. Later at the dinner celebration, a bridesmaid asked me for a safety pin. Had it.
Unsure we would have access to an iron, I brought a steamer, just in case. Matt used the steamer on the bridesmaid dresses. I think he was happy to have something to do! He even rescued us last minute by bringing the veil to the temple just in time for us to enter after the first look. The Beautiful Bride. XOXO
Mallerie was transformed from the tropical pajamas that she arrived in, to a tropical bride before our eyes. Just lovely. She found her beautiful headpiece on Etsy from a gal in Poland. When Mal texted me a picture of it, she asked if I thought it was weird to have a floral headpiece instead of a veil. I said, "I had a floral headpiece!" She could not recall, so I sent her proof.
We also were engaged in Hawaii. (Another floral headpiece.)
Mallerie and I left with Callie, who would be getting her hair done by Aysia.
Laie Temple
The night before, Mallerie had repeatedly told the guys they needed to get the ties out of the car. They never did. The morning of, we met Loana in the temple parking. She was a woman on a mission. To get those ties!
After she walked off, we had a moment, so I put my arm around Mal and offered a prayer of gratitude and calmness.
First Look
It was so special to be in the bride's room with Mal. Alone in the bride's room, I said to Mal, "Take a moment to look at yourself in the mirror." As she shrugged, she giggled, "I look exactly like I thought I would." She is a giggler, especially when she is happy. She said, referring to their first look, "Gavin is so tender, he just couldn't stop crying. I couldn't stop giggling." And then again after their beautiful sealing, as I helped her change, "I just can't stop giggling, I am so happy!" Some experiences are too sacred to put into words. 
Seeing my missionaries' faces was so tender. Later, I couldn't talk about the fact that they weren't there without getting emotional. Neither could Binnie. I let her ask the questions rather than go on and on about it. She recorded a beautiful tribute that Gavin surprised Mal with at the celebration. We all learned that when Mallerie and Ava played Polly Pockets, Mallerie's family was always the Baker family.
I'm gonna let the pictures tell the story for a bit.
Gavin with his mom and aunties from the mainland.
Groom's Party
(I should also point out that the bouquet photographed amazingly well;)
The Laie Temple grounds were like stepping into a postcard that day.
Bride's Party
The couple got good use out of their wedding clothes. By night's end, Gavin's suit ripped and the hem had come undone on Mallerie's dress. They worked it!
As the day wore on, I worried about Mallerie and Gavin getting dehydrated and not feeling well the rest of the day. While they stayed for more photos, we left to get water to bring back to them. Then we figured that we may as well go out for ice cream at Angels. I loved Matt's cherry truffle last time, but it didn't cut it this time. Maybe eating someone else's ice cream just makes it taste better. Kat and I joked, "I only had like two mushrooms in mine." Matt doesn't look thrilled either.
Tradewinds Ranch
We stopped by the PCC to pick up the taro rolls. Since they are purple, they completed our rainbow of color for the Hawaiian Haystacks. We then ran into Foodland to get ingredients for a special punch. We put Graham in charge of that, and he manned it accordingly. He did a great job!
While we ate ice cream, Mallerie and Gavin took this stunner.
Later, I made this my screen saver and sent a picture to Mal. She texted back, "I can't believe that is me!"
While out at lunch with my girlfriends on Feb 5th, one of them told me that she was going to be in Hawaii when Mallerie got married. I probably had the oddest look on my face because all I could see in my mind was a neon sign above her head that read "Helper!" I had previously seen a TV segment where recent mother-of-the-brides shared tips for the day. One of them was to put your cell phone away and trust that the photographer is capturing it all. No way. Not gonna happen. Another piece of advice was, "Have a go-to gal to help you with whatever you need." I said, "I want thaaaaat." That wish was fulfilled in my dear friend, Jaynee. God is merciful indeed. While on vacation, she came with hubby Troy and son Caleb to grill all the meat!!!!
Back to the picture story:
Ring Ceremony
Beautiful words spoken by a beautiful couple to one another. This was the first time Gavin saw his ring.
We Dine!
And then Gavin announced their fall honeymoon plans: Everest!
My babies have my <3.
Cake Cutting
The Kiribati cake dance was a surprise to all, including Matt. He wondered, "Who is this girl and what is she doing with the cake!"
I added goofy little cake toppers at the end. Mallerie was a little girl playing with these plastic penguins from Grandma Donna non-stop. I just knew those penguins had to be part of her special day. I gave Gavin's penguin blonde locks.
I should have sent some cake with the bride and groom. They said that they didn't get enough so they bought another Costco cake in town!
Bouquet Toss
So that Mallerie could keep her bouquet forevers and evers, I made a toss bouquet. The flowers were a bit tricky to tote to the island, so I was glad I wouldn't have to tote them back.
Aaaaand just like that, I'm toting them back.
I didn't find out about any wedding catastrophes until after the fact, which was a tender mercy so that I could enjoy the day. Most involved my original concerns with the venue, which did become issues. Nonetheless, it was lovely as can be. What I was pleasantly surprised with, if not blown away with, was how helpful the bridesmaids and groomsmen were. After the event, the lights were unscrewed and packed away, and the tent was taken down amazingly fast by those kiddos as well as all wedding clean-up, including disassembling the floral hoop. So, though the event was far away, in addition to Mal and Gavin being surrounded by these dear friends, we needed to have it on the island just for the help! I couldn't have done it elsewhere. We truly felt the Aloha spirit. Those kids have my eternal gratitude. I couldn't even attempt to switch out the trash liner during the event without someone coming over and whisking me away.
Dancing and Games
The feeling of love and tenderness between Mallerie and Gavin is what fairytales are made of. It was palpable. The day was celebrated with those who are intimately close to them (Bridesmaid, Kadee flew in from Austria). Love all around. Mal stole all of our hearts when she danced for Gav.
The DJ was on point.
Katrina opted to capture the day with a retro camera and actual film designed to have a rainbow overlay. They turned out fun. As the two of us stood at the watering hole and watched the festivities, one of the groomsmen approached us. He asked Katrina, "What grade are you in?" After he walked away she looked at me, "What grade am I in???" And then we laughed.
Pure Joy
They will always remember how special it was that Gavin's grandfather was there as well as Mallerie's grandmother, sweet Grandma Donna.
Relax the Back at Hukilau
The night before as Matt was carrying the leftover chicken to the car he felt his back give out. He thought, "No way, not now." He leaned against the barn post and twisted till it popped back in. He's never been able to do that before. Another tender mercy.
With the happy couple sent off with love, we had a little downtime the next day. We hung out at the condo and laughed and chatted with Katrina. This memory equals in sacredness that of having Mal over. Out of all the festivities, it is the connection that is what stays with the heart. Matt wanted to take sandwiches to the beach and relax. We were all up for some beach time. The Wassons wanted to come to swim at the pool again, so we said, "Go ahead, we'll be at the beach!"
In the wind, I watched the spray sunscreen land anywhere but on my family. I pointed, "I think we just coated that family over there." Graham got the worst sunburn of all. Matt never did eat his sandwich, but we enjoyed the day.
Don't you miss the days when someone's thumb is in the shot? 
While Matt took Katrina to the airport that evening, I packed and tied the condo. I love playing house even while out of town. Instead of wedding supplies, my suitcase was now full of the things Mal wanted me to take back to the mainland. I think those items are still in that suitcase.
One of my fears came true with returning the decorations. With so many helpers, one of the important bags of decorations was thrown out. The lady could take note: Don't store nice things in trash bags;) Other than a few missteps, the day was flawless.
A lifetime in the making if you will.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Written by Abby Bocanegra, March 2022
Somewhere over the rainbow
the lullaby rang out
She twirled as she danced,
arms stretched up above,
a smile on her face.
Tiny toes pointed
Doing her best to show grace
Dreams just beginning to take root in their place.
A roller coaster of fun
Laughs to be had
A childhood passing, with most of it glad.
A trip to the islands
Relationships forged
Roots began to blossom
Dreams began to soar.
Somewhere over the rainbow
We'll see what lies in store.
Adventures and service
And time for our Lord
Life put to the test; not a moment to stop
(Can troubles really melt like a lemon drop?)
But still the dream, still the pull,
Over the ocean, she'll go once more.
Education and responsibilities
But still time for fun
Still time for dreams
Still time to run (and run and run).
Unexpectedly, another steps into her heart
Another root takes place for a blossom to start.
Families meet
An amazing race to be had
Can we really go on being this happy and glad?
YES, she answers
the opal fits just right
In his arms, she holds him tight.
An eternal promise, a wide-open sky
She'll dance under the rainbow
As bluebirds fly.
Her hands no longer empty
She now has her guy
Dreams took shape as time went by.
Once just a lullaby,
Dreams really do come true
No longer from me, she'll get them from you.
Somewhere over the rainbow
One life became two.
A someday wish upon a star
Made from a child from afar.
Life will be full even when it is gray
Under the rainbow is where she will stay.
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Katrina opted to capture the day with a retro camera and actual film designed to have a rainbow overlay. They turned out fun. As the two of us stood at the watering hole and watched the festivities, one of the groomsmen approached us. He asked Katrina, "What grade are you in?" After he walked away she looked at me, "What grade am I in???" And then we laughed.
While Matt took Katrina to the airport that evening, I packed and tied the condo. I love playing house even while out of town. Instead of wedding supplies, my suitcase was now full of the things Mal wanted me to take back to the mainland. I think those items are still in that suitcase. 
