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Published: December 29th 2010
I love weddings. Especially ones where there's a vacation in it for me. Even skeptic's have to admit it's emotional when two people forge their bond as husband and wife. I'm not sure what sentiment is being felt, but it's emotional none the less. I always look for that sparkle in the newlywed's eyes. You know, the one where they still want to rip eachother's close off every time they're in the same room! This trip is about THAT couple. If I didn't believe in romantic destiny before them, I certainly do now. Some people are absolutely meant to be together and I'm so glad Adam and Jill figured that out. AND it got me to Cabo!
I do, however, have to give you a little pretext so you can become as enamored of this couple as the rest of us that ventured to Cabo for their nuptials. It definitely added to the mystique of The Baja and the charm of it's most southern point.
I met the bride, Jill, through a mutual best friend almost a decade ago and we all instantly knew that the rest of our lives would be filled with girl's weekends and spa adventures! We've
never had to worry about if walls could talk because they could never get a word in edge wise with us!
On one of our ladies nights (that turned into a weekend as usual) we ended up at Jill's alma mater. Although we didn't start out with a plan, somehow we drove for hours down The Great River Road, along side the Mississippi River, stopped at a Strawberry Festival (where you could NOT get strawberry shots by the way--how stupid), and ended up at Augustana College.
It is my understanding that you can drive this Byway from Canada to the Mississippi Delta. What a fabulous trip that would be. As it was, we only made it to Rock Island from Galena. Just our luck, this is where our friend went to college so we stopped and got a hotel room. Of course I was too old to be in those college bars but acted like I just got my first fake i.d. After much dancing, lotsa' alcohol, and I seem to remember one of us peeing in a garbage can in the upper level of a bar, we awoke the next morning knowing that Rock Island would never
be the same.
Needless to say (but I will anyhow) some regurgitation had to take place before we could begin the trek home. All great nights must end with a purge! It was a headache induced quiet for most of the trip back but at one point Jill began to talk about her good old college days and some guy she dated...but not really. They were only friends...with benefits, but totally not like your thinking (whatever). "It would have never worked out," she said, but there was a strange little smirk on her face that I hadn't seen before.
When was the last time she talked to this guy? "A loooong time ago," she seemed to reminisce.
So a few weeks later I'm having my 15 year high school reunion and my friends decided to crash it. Guess who Jill shows up with??? The guy from college that she hadn't talked to in years! AND he wore a cowboy hat, AND he was totally hot, AND he wasn't a dork at all like she said. JUST KIDDING! She never said he was a dork, but I did see that strange little smirk again. I have to tell
Centennial Bridge
Where the magic happenedyou they were about the cutest damn couple I ever did see. Adam quickly became like a brother to all of us and soon we were planning family dinners, nights out, and even weekend vacations. After a while it seemed like there was only one thing left to do...yep...you guessed it...GO TO JAMAICA! And we did! But that's another blog.
It was on an early winter's night in 2007 that Jill was asked about her plans for the weekend. "Oh, I'm getting my hair done and then Adam wants to go to Augustana to meet up with some old friends." WHAT? Without us? Didn't she know she would never have any fun without her girls? It so happened that she ran a little late from her appointment. Adam was allegedly preturbed about her tardiness. A little tiff ensued and Jill said there was some strange tension on their trip down to the college. See what she gets for not taking us with? Anyhow, a little after dusk they pulled into what was apparently a ghost town. There had been a couple inches of snow and Adam told Jill that he wanted to go look off The Centennial Bridge like
Girls in the Lobby!
How's the stain Jill? they had done so many times during college (and incidentally where they first kissed). What a sweetheart! Jill said she was cold and a little irritated at that point but once they walked onto the pristine snow and looked out over the water...it was calmingly beautiful. The lights were dancing on the river and the crystal snowflakes were gently falling to the ground. At that moment Adam got down on one knee and proposed. They weren't meeting up with anyone. This was his plan all along (and no wonder he was slightly tweaked out!). After years of being friends and a long absence in between, they found their way back to each other forever. I guess she said yes because we ended up in Cabo for one helluva' party!
So begins the tale of the most beautiful wedding ever!
Okay! Okay! Okay! So fast forward to the end of February 2009 and we're off to the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula to Cabo San Lucas. I've heard so many wonderful tales of Cabo being a playground for the rich and famous. Of course I was going to play the part...not that my girl Jill isn't way hotter
Lord have mercy
Put a leash on that girl! than Jennifer Aniston (she is like 10 times hotter!!!!!), I was still going to party like a rock star! It's easy to do in Cabo. The entire wedding party stayed at the all-inslusive RIU on the beach so there was no shortage of cocktails flowing at the swim up infinity bar. The view was spectacular, the temperature was perfect, and the resort was emaculate. There was a multitude of restaurants and bars with a ton of stuff to do on site. I gave myself an enema standing over one of the fountains in front of the resort. Just because the rendezvous was classy didn't mean I was any less deranged! There were free water sports and of course you could rent any of the motorized ones. Anything you could imagine doing on vacation was right there. The most important part of being on the water was that it was the easiest way to get into town (Cabo) because the water taxis come right up to the resorts. It's much quicker than trying to catch a land bound cab. There are always water taxis in town that will bring you back also.
Once everyone had arrived the bride and groom
had a private catamaran cruise planned for all of their guests. What a wonderful way to start off the festivities and get to know the crew that had gathered for some R&R and wedded bliss. It was a superb evening and the company matched the climate. I have to say it's rare that I've seen such a large group of people traveling together with no sign of drama anywhere. This was definitely a testiment to everyone's love for Jill and Adam (and I'd like to think the company they keep also😊 As we sailed around the famous de Arco San Lucas we mingled, toasted, and prepared for an amazing week as the sun glazed the horizon with twilight. After the cruise we hit downtown Cabo with all the rank and rigor of drunken sailers but alas we made it back safely to our resort without any new tatoos (I think?!). As I awoke the next morning in my hungover fog I realized it wasn't a dream. There is nothing better than waking up to a sunrise over the ocean...NOTHING! I know my husband would disagree. He wakes up to something else rising every day, but for me I'll take the
waves over a silver speedo any time.
During the day different groups took off in different directions. Some hit the beach, others went in to town, but we all had the same goal. The southern point of the Baja is just calm enough to exhale, yet breathtaking in so many ways. There are plenty of places to shop and hang out but it's much more relaxed than some of the full-throttle tourist ports throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. There are some tours you can take but we took a pass on those with the intention of returning for another trip. I heard Old San Jose is a quant, rustic little town rich with historic landmarks. I have also been advised that many of the golf courses in the area are kick-ass. I've yet to golf on a coastline and it is definitely on the bucket list. It's another great reason to go back but I enjoyed my time immensely as it was. So after a few glorious days of vacation the big day had finally arrived. Although some of Los Cabos is vaguely fuzzy almost every detail of this specacular wedding has been etched into my memory.
The
ceremony and reception were held at the most exquisite location in the Baja. The Sunset De Mona Lisa is nestled atop cliffs that hang over the brilliant turqoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. A beautiful open mezzanine descends to the beach below through several levels of terraces, fountains, and sparkling pools. The famous arch and shimmering lights of Cabo rest in the distance for an added evening aura. It may be the only wedding reception I have been to in the Baja but I can't imagine a more beautiful backdrop for any matrimony. I've honestly never seen anything more stunning than the sun setting behind the bride and groom as the ocean below waved in accordance to their "I do's." It was the most regal ceremony I have ever attended. The entire event was magnificent in the most laid back, enchanting sort of way. Although I had been a little anxious anticipating this moment for my dear friends there was something so tranquil about this venue. The instant we arrived there was a calming allure.
I must confess that amidst it all the most amazing moment of the whole evening was when I saw the bride before she
walked down the aisle. There was that quiet confidence I had noticed in her eyes just a few years before. When I first heard her speak of her unbeknownst future husband. It was that strange little smirk on her face that I now recognized...it was peaceful and she was beautiful.
As charming as the ambiance of the Mona Lisa could be, as glamourous as the reception was, and as wonderful as the entire trip will be remembered. The single most beautiful thing I saw in Cabo San Lucas was two of my favorite people deciding that they wanted to share the rest of their lives together. It was awesome and I can't thank them enough for letting me be a part of it. Adam and Jill have been at the end of my rainbow before and I'm so grateful that they will be there many more times in my life! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Second honeymoon anyone?
Wait a second...I still have to take the first one!!
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Chris and Nikki
Chris
Amazing picture!