Rodgers Neighborhood: Sam and LaElle's Wedding

We were so excited to hear Jon’s that best friend Sam was finally tying the knot and settling down. So excited that we wanted to both wanted to be there. Jon has known Sam for 10 years since Sam started at the academy and his parents became his host family. We prayed and crossed our fingers and the air force approved leave for that weekend, and that weekend only. So we got tickets and took off right after Jon and I got off work. We caught a 6:30 pm plane out of Pensacola and we arrived in Phoenix about midnight. Then we drove down to Safford (where the Gila Valley Temple is) and crashed in our hotel about 2:30 am. We were exhausted and slept for a while. Then we were up and at the temple by 9:30 for the wedding. We enjoyed seeing Mom and Dad and Kyle Rodgers. We also enjoyed seeing Sam’s family (who I met for the first time) and meeting LaElle’s family.

It was a small sealing with just close friends and some family. The first time I saw LaElle she looked ready to sprint like run-away bride. But she did not and she said yes. Then she looked happy and relieved and glad to have a great husband. I love going to others sealing’s and sharing with them the simplicity, the wonder, and the joy of the simple but amazingly profound day. Our wedding day, though cloudy and gloomy was the best day ever because we were sealed and together forever from that point forward. It was freezing and much like our wedding day. So pictures were very short as we were in rain and wind. We then adjourned to lunch at a small Mexican restaurant nearby. Then we all traveled to Tucson where the reception would be held.

I think I got Jon to love Arizona, even if we were down in the southern part and not in beloved Flagstaff. We loved the rocks and hills and formations as we traveled to Tucson. We arrived early enough to be useful in helping to set up for the reception. I got to help the bride get back into her dress as well. Before the reception Sam and LaElle were joined by her, now their, little boy. He was so funny. Especially with the cake, he so wanted to try and eat it, and he got to have a piece at the cake cutting. Jon and I enjoyed dancing at the reception. I even got to dance with Kyle. Finally it was time for them to leave and us to head back to Phoenix. We went to Phoenix where my wonderful friend Alyce was letting us stay at her place even though she was at work. We slept there until 3 am, then went to the airport to catch our 5am flight and traveled back to Fort Walton Beach by 3pm. Lots of travel. But worth it!