Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and Forever... The Murrays

[ForeverKirks]

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HOW WE MET

Weyatta: My girlfriends and I had planned a night out and of course, Toyin and I were the only two who ended up going to Crossroads, her spot. Anyway, at about 1 a.m., I was ready to go home and Toyin would not get off the dance floor. So when they started playing my good old Soca songs, I started getting my groove on. Then I looked across the room, and there was my beau :-) He was shyly smiling at me and stared for a while. I smiled back and kept on dancing.
Kirk: It was the day of my job's Christmas party and I decided to go out to Crossroads afterwards. I wanted to party some more. While partying by myself, I decided to take a stroll through the club to see if I could get a dance from a really cute girl across the room. She had beautiful, sparkling eyes like a cat that no man could ever resist; but, I was very hesitant to ask her for a dance. So I inched my way dancing next to her until she smiled at me. And there our future began...
Weyatta: Kirk bought Toyin and I bottled water and when she finallyagreed to go home, he walked us to the car and got my phone number. About 30 minutes later, he called to make sure I made it home safe. I didn’t know what to think cuz I thought - he might be calling for a booty call. But his call was brief and polite so I didn't worry about it. I spent the next morning talking about how cute and shy he was and also how I adored his clef. It was rather sexy... a clean shaven man who smelled good and behaved himself. What a rare occurrence at the club. The next day, we went out to the movies and the next day he made dinner for me. We had a nice dinner, talked about life, each other, and the joys of dating...and we've experienced those joys ever since.

WHEN WE GOT ENGAGED: August 15, 2004
HOW IT HAPPENED
We were relaxing watching the Olympics and Kirk started to ask me questions about when we met and what I thought of him. Of course, I went off saying everything I remembered and felt because heart to heart discussions are my specialty. Well, he started telling me about the things that make me special (too long to write them all) and I was thinking... Gosh, this guy really makes my heart happy. Then he asked me if I was ready to be Mrs. Murray. I said yes, with a comeback question... Are you ready for me to be Mrs. Murray. He says, Give me two minutes and I'll let you know. Then he took out my ring and proposed and how could I resist... This is the man of my dreams, the man that makes my heart happy and the man I so dearly cherish... I said I would be honored to be his wife because he is a good man and I love him dearly. And now, here we are - planning our wedding. Not to forget, my ring is absolutely gorgeous. Here's a picture of it.

[ForeverKirks]

I woke up saying…NO STRESS TODAY esp. since everything but the seating chart had been done.

Woke up at 8 a.m. and went to the reception site to drop off the last items for décor. I learned that they did not have the updated guest list so I was to drop off the seating chart and final guest list on Saturday morning (only wedding chore for wedding day). Hit Starbucks and Burger King and was just OK.

10:00 a.m. Headed to the hotel to check in and also to take Kirk’s sister for her final fitting since she came in late Thursday. After her fitting with the seamstress, I went and picked up my dress and veil and headed to the hotel to check in. Checked into the hotel

3:00 p.m. We all geared up and headed to the church to decorate and rehearse and were ready for rehearsal at 6 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Kirk was home getting showered and ready and the officiant (my cousin) was still in route from NY. Traffic was HORRIBLE on Friday. The pastor of the church decided to sit in for my cousin when Kirk came in and the rehearsal got started.

OK, I was straight coordinator letting everyone know the flow of things and also how the processional would go. We had to do the processional twice cuz it was truly long and not the traditional so we had to do it over and over again. My cousin came in at the last processional and we assumed positions for the flow of the entire service. At this point, I’m thinking…We’re gonna be over the one hour that I designated but they all frowned upon changing anything cuz the flow of the ceremony was pretty as is. So, we kept it the same and it put me in more of a tense mode about the timeline tomorrow. IT HAD TO START ON TIME!!!!

After rehearsal, we headed to my Dad’s house for dinner. Kirk had prepared the jerk pork and jerk chicken and his cousin, Everton, who is a chef was straight working the fish (grilled – IT WAS GOOOOOOD). My dad had stocked up on Courvoisier, Heineken, Wine, Guinness, etc…so it was tight in there. We did formal introductions of everyone so the families could get to know each other and played a little “who do you know” game. After that, the music was on and it was straight party. For one, we had Jamaica vs. Africa in dancing reggae and I can tell you all it’s safe to say….Don’t mess with An African Queen on the dance floor. Old to young – Tired to Relaxed… we were straight having fun and being a fool.

11:30 p.m. Headed to my room with 2 of my BMs. We went to Wendy’s for Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers and Frosties. YUMMMMMY! One of them went to Kinko’s to order the final seating chart. Kinko’s was straight getting on my nerves at 2:00 a..m. when they called to say that they couldn’t do the chart due to the format. Ok, I hung up the phone and went to bed. Ain’t no sense getting mad or upset at that point because I’m knew they’d be able to figure it out. IT was done at 2:30 a.m. and they called for pick up.

[ForeverKirks]

Woke up and literally decided I would not leave the hotel that day. I assigned my BM the task of picking up the seating chart and taking it to the reception site since it was in route to her house. My BM who did my hair showed up at 8:30 on time and worked up my hair until about 11:00 a.m. We were in the same hotel as Kirk, his mom, his family and guests…so his mom and sister stopped by to visit for a minute. My BM who slept with me that night had already hooked me up with waffles and eggs for breakfast, so I was just alright. Let me tell y’all, I ate more than ever that weekend!!! Once I was all showered up and hair was in order with tiara in place, Kirk’s mom got the housekeeper to clean up before my mom and my sister arrived. Ok, they came at about 1:00 p.m. after resting and all that. Brought me some Wendy’s (Yes, NUGGETS AND A FROSTY AND A JR. BACON CHEESEBURGER) so I took a quick nap while they were getting ready.

Mom and my sister were ready and the other MOH (other sister) and BMs were to show up at 1:45 p.m. to drive to the reception to drop off their cards. Well, guess what!! Heiffas all showed up at 2:30 p.m. NOT DRESSED, with the FGs, RB not dressed and I got heated. They bombarded the room and I had to dress the RB with Mommy’s help and do the FGs hair. (WTH?) So, at 3:15, I’m telling them photographers due at 3:45 so they all have to be done and out of my room at 3:30.

Well, 3:30 rolls around and heffas are still in the room getting ready. Phone rings and it’s the make up girl calling to tell me she won’t be there until 4:30 WTF so if I could have the limo wait, she could do the 5 ppl. Makeup – otherwise, it’s not worth her coming for just me. I was LIVID but I was said…Thank you and have a good day. Hung up the phone. Then it hit me….I have to do my own make up and also put the eyebrows on?? WTF?? My BM/ roommate is a Clinique make up artist so I had her do the three girls makeup.

Once she was done with them and they were dressed…BRIDEZILLA kicked in. I got a bit of Martin in me and started kicking the girls OUT OF THE ROOM. By this time, it was 4:20 and the limo was scheduled to arrive at 4:45 to pick up the girls. I told them, I don’t care where you go…LOBBY, KIRK’S ROOM, WHEREVER…but GETS TO STEPPIN!!! They were looking at me like :whatever: but I wasn’t playing. The photographer was upstairs already with the guys and I was in my robe, no dress, no undergarments, no eyelashes…NOTHING! Makeup BM, Mommy, and BM to clean the room was with me and I sat in the chair and commenced the eyelashes!! That stuff was no joke. It took about 4 trials on each side to get it on and it still wasn’t even, but we decided the make up would mask it!!! :rofl2: Now it’s funny! It wasn’t funny then at all.

My girlfriend started to work with the makeup but the limo was there so I told her to go ahead and I would work it myself. She left when Tony came in for photos with my parents, so we got started. He got some really good shots. The girls had all left and so had the guys and at this point, we were waiting for the Rolls. 2 of my friends not in the BP came and took my emergency bag for the reception and cleaned up the rest of the room for me. We took pics.and just as we headed to the lobby, the Rolls pulled up. Just on time, we took pics. With the rolls and headed out on time.

Well, TRAFFIC WAS A MUTHA!!! I directed my driver off the highway and through the city. We still made it there before 6 p.m. but the limo drivers weren’t so smart and they were late. So my driver had to circle the block a couple of times until the guys and girls got in. Then we pulled up and Moe came out!!!! :crying: Well, you saw the teary eyed picture when I saw her. Y’all, I knew then it was the moment. My chica was not in the same car as me and she had the camera on me. It hit Me.

My dad was sorta nervous but his Blood Pressure was really high. So I chilled in the car with him and my mom went in. I reminded him that I would always be his little girl and that nothing could take me away from them. Then the photographer and videographer were doing their thing and my driver was straight wonderful!!! It was just relax at that point. I went in to the girls and told them to all smile and get ready. Ok, they were straight looking at me like…THIS HEIFFA WAS JUST KICKING US OUT THE ROOM and she got the nerve to come in here smiling :rofl2: But let me tell you, they forgot in a minute and we were ready to proceed!!!
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It's really bad when you can't see the processional. It had a bit of a snag cuz my RB refused to walk down the aisle and so my niece did with the pillow. It threw my mom off cuz she was supposed to bring my dad my BoK after my nephew. When she didn't see him, she straight chilled in the chair until she was signaled. I don't know what happened when she gave my dad the BoK but the church was chuckling. My parents are a riot. Then the Carpet rollers forgot to do their job but when I tell you my dancer was awesome...She rolled the aisle runner in place and I haven't heard enough good things about how she did it. Then she danced and it was time for me to get in.

When the doors opened, I asked my dad to let me soak in the moment for a minute, so we stood through the entire first verse of Angel. I saw each and every detail, my beautiful flowers, unity candle, everything and I made sure that my Husband was the last person I fixated on cuz I wanted to stare at him long enough. Once the song said..."he sent me an angel" my father and I started down the aisle and I could cry (but I had to hold back cuz I was fearful of my eyelash falling). I looked at faces and smiled and looked at Kirk as I got to the front and when I tell y'all...HE WAS HANDSOME...I am not understating. My honey looked good in that ivory tux!!! :faint: :brow: He winked at me and kept his eyes on me until my Dad handed me over to him.

My cousin, the offciant, was so excellent that as he made good points, Kirk and I kept turning to each other and saying "you hear that honey" or "amen to that" and other stuff we said to each other. My cousin said we were the most talkative bride and groom :ashamed: I'm :scared: to get the unedited video.

Anyway, the soloist sang "I love the Lord" and "My Love Sweet Love" and trust when I say she was EXCELLENT. She sang the songs effortlessly but left such an impact on the entire church and service. WOW...She really turned it out.

We did vows, lit candles, and the rest of the ceremony and then we headed outside for the Dove Release. After the dove release, we went to the Capitol Rotunda (downtown DC) to take pics. with the photographer.

Y'all, at least 10 ppl. came by asking if they could take our pictures. The cops all honked as well as other bypassers. It was amazing how my photographer was sooo generous to let folk take pictures while we were posed. Tony is excellent and for all DC brides to be... He is absolutely one of my most favorite vendors. He calmed me down when I dared to go off and he reminded me to enjoy the moments each time I would think about not smiling. He did an EXCELLENT job and everyone at the reception kept complimenting him. They all observed how great he was. I couldn't have been more happy with ALL of my vendors.

My videographer was just excellent and even though I forgot Kirk had a mic. in the church and I said something out of line - he smiled and touched his ear. Well, then Kirk decides to say... Babe, i have a mic. Ok, now that I've said something freaky in the church you remind me you have a mic :whatever: All in all, he was phenomenal. He engaged the guests for interviews. He was all over the place cuz the reception was really fast paced.
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My BM forgot the seating chart that kept us up late :rant: so we had a bit of a mishap when the guests made it to the reception, but I believe Flo Mo handled the situation with Maryam and my other hostesses help. Y'all my reception site was soooo beautifully decorated and when I was about to sit in my seat and looked up and around me at all the beautiful elements as well as people there to share our love... I beamed!!!!! It's an amazing feeling!! I kept telling myself that if one thing went wrong, it didn't matter cuz I was marrying Kirk...but let me tell you that my maitre'd, Master of Ceremony, Reception Food, etc. was just on point.

I could not have asked for a better wedding. My parents, family, and friends truly made my day.

People are asking if it feels any different! Not really. But there is an added sense of security that someone's got my back 100% and it's not my Mommy and Daddy. And you know, I'm looking forward to forever with him. We have pledged to do date night and remain newlyweds forever. Despite the fact that things will go wrong, we know that our love is ENDLESS!!! It's a special feeling!!!

I would be remiss if I didn't thank Maryam, Moe, Shelly, and my other CB Sisters for stepping up to the plate and helping out. Your love and support is priceless and know that it will never be forgotten or taken for granted.

[ForeverKirks]

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[ForeverKirks]

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The Elements...
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My BoK at the altar.. My mom picked it up and handed it to my Father before he walked me down the aisle.

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[ForeverKirks]

We Proceed...

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I's Marrried Now...
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Dove Release...
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[ForeverKirks]

Our Parents...
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Off to the Capitol for Pictures...
The Girls...
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The Guys...

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Amazing Love..
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[ForeverKirks]

The Elements...
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Cardbox by Monette...
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[ForeverKirks]

African Welcome of the Mother of the Bride...
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Getting ready to Jump the Broom...

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An African Welcome to the Reception
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Proud and Happy Parents
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Dance with My Father
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Dance with Our Mothers

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Cutting the Cake
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A kiss after cutting the cake
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[ForeverKirks]

Taking off the garter...
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Throwing the garter...
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The CB Ladies Shot…

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The CB Grooms Shot…

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The lady needs to sit after a long day...

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Two hands, two lives… Connected Forever
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My wedding day was a very beautiful day and one that remains in my heart forever. Everything was not perfect on that day, but I wouldn't trade that day for the world. It was a beautiful day, but the marriage is what's most important.

I would have never believed all the wonderful people who told me that it doesn't matter what colors I chose or who didn't want to do what or who felt I wasn't doing something right... but I have learned to value that.

If it had been a day in the park with us in jeans, I would probably have been just as happy because I would have been his wife. I loved all the material things that came with my day, but most importantly, I love our marriage. With that said, we continue to live our forever. No, every day is not perfect and neither are we... but with God, our family and friends support, and compromise, we look forward to forever.

Thank you CB family who helped me bring this day to fruition, but most importantly those who hold us and support us when we are broken or down. Marriage doesn't take two, it takes three - GOD, the couple, and our loved ones who are there for us to hold us together.