Becky Garrett and Noriel Sanchez. At least, that is how they were known when this picture was taken (by yours truly). But that all changed on one fatal day. Yes, that is right, the day that Becky Garrett left the convent. The day she officially retired her habit and became part of what some may call matrimony. However, if the convent was to loose such an important nun as Becky, no one could have suited her better than Noriel Sanchez. (Go, Becky, climb every mountain... search every stream... follow every rainbow...til you find your dream!) (a Sound of Music reference for you all there). (men, read on at your own risk)

At last, the day has arrived. April 8th, 2006. In they traditional Gringo-Latino-Chino style, the lovers will soon be wed! 

The garden is decked out and ready for the reception! 

The pathways are romantically lit with mosquito torches. (one of them burst completely into flames, just about the entire torch was on fire, but the Father of the Groom saved the day)
 

We have the groom!! (outside the church, keeping his groomsmen in order, keeping Joel away from the Sangria and trying to keep his wits about him).  

And the BRIDE!!! (awaiting ecstatically outside the church, out of view of her Husband-to-be, anxiously anticipating the moment of her grand entrance!) (for you men reading the blog, my appologies)
 

My good friends Albert and Fernando are tuned and ready to play for the wedding!

Are you sure that's tuned gentlemen? (Ruthie played the Piano)

The ladies are in waiting!  

The guest have arrived and the church is ready! 

Let the Music begin 

Noriel seating his mother. She was the queen of the party. (second to Becky, of course). 

The flower girl--adorable and ever so cute, obviously stealing the hearts of everyone in her path.

The beautiful bride, walked down by her mother. Her dad has a heart condition and was not allowed to travel, unfortunately, but her mother had the honor, and cried the entire walk down the isle. 

The wedding was all bilingual, with one pastor from the USa and the other from here in Panama. It was a beautiful blend of the two cultures. The planning brought up interesting conflicts of traditions, but in the end, it all flowed together well y fue tan bonita! 

In Panama, normally the wedding party sit's down, but Becky wanted us to all stand up with them. The Gringos had no problem wtih it, but the Panamanians couldn't believe they had to stand the whole time!! 

The lighting of the Unity candle 

The singing (also bilingual) 

The exchange of the rings 

Con este anillo (don't cry, noriel!! don't cry!!) 

with this ring.. 

The exchange of the vows 

YEA! They're married! (Noriel's grandma, Dad, and mom with front row seats!) 

Katie, Becky's maid of honor, flew down from Oregon to be with us. (She's become a new member of the convent!). She walked down with Noriel's brother and Bestman, Toto (a nickname for Dimas).  

Danelle! (I miss her already!) and Noriels good friend, Carlos.