Alexander’s Wedding
Key: in this installment Paige B=my cousin Paige
On Friday, April 24, 2026, I got off the plane in Orlando, Florida and waited for Mom, Dad, Josh, and Paige to get off. Once they deplaned, we made our way to baggage claim and then to get our rental car. We had arrived at around 1:15, and Alexander and his wife Alexa, had gotten married at the courthouse at noon. The reception was the next day, in their backyard. We were staying with my aunt Eva and uncle Zach, but their 6 year wedding anniversary was the 25th, so they were celebrating when we landed. As a result, we decided to spend time with other family members.
We arrived at my grandma's house around 2:30, and we stayed and talked to her and my grandpa Joe for a few hours. After that we went to Alexander and Alexa’s house to help set up for the reception. By the time we got there everything had mostly been set up, but aunt Alicia lives on the same street as Alexander and Alexa, so we spent the rest of the evening with her, Paul, and Austin, when he arrived.
Cousin Simple has been on a tour for the last few months (The Dayton show was part of it), and they had a show in Detroit on Friday. Ryan and Luke landed in Orlando at 9:20 on Saturday morning. Once they arrived at Eva and Zach’s, we hung out, ate breakfast, and Paige and I went for a swim, before it was time to go.
There was a cocktail hour at 4:00 and the bride and groom were to enter at 5:00. During the cocktail hour we mingled with family and at around 4:55 Paige B, her husband, Austin, and their kids arrived. At the same time it started raining. About 30 minutes later, when the rain slowed, Alexander and Alexa entered, they greeted everyone and despite the rain, they were very positive, (and I promised myself I would remember that for my wedding when something goes wrong).
We began to eat, and then it was time for pictures. After we got a family picture Paige and I walked up to a mirror that was by the front gate. On it in vinyl was written, “Alexander and Alexa 4.24.26.” Eva asked if we wanted a picture and we said yes.
Eva grabbed the polaroid camera, and took the shot. I wouldn't notice it until the next day but Alexander and Alexa were in the mirror when Eva took the picture. It kind of looks like Paige and I are getting a picture and our future selves (as a bride and groom) are in the mirror waiting.
After Eva handed me the picture, Paige and I walked up to Alexander and Alexa and congratulated them. “So,” I asked, “out of professional curiosity, how does it feel?”
“You know,” Alexander said, “it feels amazing!”
“We can’t wait to celebrate you guys in a couple weeks!” Alexa continued.
As the night went on and we danced, I watched how happy Alexander was. While I have written about him before, out of all my cousins, he has appeared the least. This is mostly due to the distance, but I mean, he’s my older cousin; I've known him my whole life. Most notably, he spent a year and a half or so living in Columbus. Alexander has been dating Alexa since 2017, and I have known her since 2020. I have never seen either of them as happy as they were on their wedding day!
Congratulations, Alexander and Alexa! Hope you have a Greattastic life together- your cousin, J. Mitchie Ulibarri, SBT
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