When in Fraser, Colorado...

If you’ve never been to Colorado, you need to go! I can’t say I did much of anything other than attend a wedding, so I definitely need to go back soon, but even being there for less than 3 days I was able to thoroughly enjoy the views and the company. 

My awesome friend, Kristen, met the love of her life and decided to say ‘I do’ in the wonderful state of Colorado this past September. I couldn’t have been more excited when she asked me to be a bridesmaid. We’ve been friends for over 10 years! In those 10 years, we’ve managed to travel to several countries together including Germany and the B.V.I’s and she’s been to a dozen more without me! She’s lived in France and Costa Rica too! I’ve been so blessed by our friendship and it makes me so happy to know that she married an equally awesome guy. 

Flying alone is probably one of my most favorite things ever. It makes me feel like I’m a bad-ass world traveler that can take on anything. My initial plan was to take the whole family out there and make it a week-long trip, but I soon realized that going by myself for a shorter time would be best, especially since my youngest of four was recovering from an unplanned open heart surgery! 

I flew out Friday afternoon with the intention of attending the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Apparently, I chose the worst car rental company because it took over 2 hours to get my rental car. If you ever fly in to Denver, CO I suggest NOT using Avis. But according to them, all rental companies were that way that weekend…

If you’ve got four kids, chances are your car is always messy. Well, let me tell you, the peace I felt getting into that rental car was heavenly. I could have just driven across the entire state all weekend and would have had the time of my life-windows down, music loud. It was therapy, for sure. I was looking forward to driving a cool new car, but what did they give me instead? A minivan. Obviously. 

As I drove from Denver to the wedding location in Fraser, I enjoyed the views of the mountains getting closer and closer. At first you can only see them in the distance. Your anticipation builds and builds as you make your way down the highway. Finally, you’re driving up steep, winding roads along the side of mountains. It was truly stunning. Being alone allowed me to fully enjoy it all. No distractions. No kids whining for a snack or for their music to be played. Just peace, quiet, and the mountains. Heaven. 

This was the only photo I took that I was able to recover since it was posted on my Facebook!

Once I arrived at the venue, I was greeted with some good ol’ Colorado beer and some pizza. I missed the rehearsal but at least I made it in time for the important stuff-pizza and beer. It was so nice to see all of Kristen’s family and some mutual friends made through the years! After everyone ate, people went up to give speeches on how they met the bride and groom, a funny memory, etc. It was such a special time. I was blown away by the amount of people that stood up to say how they had helped them in their time of need. Person after person talking about how they let them crash on their couch, fixed their car, watched their pet, etc. It made me so happy to know them and to be a part of their big day! 

Saturday was wedding day! All of the bridesmaids, including Kristen, stayed at a nearby Airbnb the night before. I felt like I was 16 again-having a sleepover with my girlfriends! The views were once again breathtaking. Even the trees were different. It was like a new planet out there. And even though it was a bit chilly in the morning, the sun shines so bright you can’t help but smile. We had breakfast, got our hair done and started our make-up! Before we knew it, it was time to head to the venue! 

The wedding was perfect. It was like a Colorado postcard. Their two female dogs. Bill and Jeff, were the ring bearers. It was so adorable. I was definitely holding back tears during the ceremony. I took full advantage of being away from my children and enjoyed some dancing, the groom’s homemade moonshine and some special chocolates from a nearby dispensary during the reception. It was a pump-and-dump kind of night and a night I’ll never forget! 

The following morning, I had to be out before the sun came up. So I took my clean minivan back to Avis and caught a flight back to lovely Newark, NJ. My weekend getaway was over but it was a trip I’ll always cherish. I can’t wait to get back to Colorado soon and enjoy it even more. 

Kristen, you are beautiful. Your groom is beautiful. Your wedding was beautiful. Colorado is beautiful. B-e-a-utiful. 

Be good. Be wild.

Xoxo Rachel

P.s. All of my photos from Colorado were lost after our hard drive crashed, so I don’t have any of my photos to share, but I was given permission to steal these beautiful photos off of Kristen’s Facebook. They were taken by photographer, Jenae Lopez. You can find her website here!