In the summer of 1997 when I was around twelve years old, my Aunt Kim got married. It was almost like a ritual that every June and July I would visit Chicago for summer break. Although I was very excited about my favorite aunt getting married, I could never imagine how that summer would be the most memorable event of my childhood.
When the plane landed, and my family and I got off, my Aunt Kim and Uncle Kevin was there to greet us. On the drive home, we all talked about what had been going on lately and how the wedding planning was going. At last when we reached the apartment and I saw my grandma it had finally felt like I was home. .
My dad owns the apartment building so we knew everyone and greeted them as we went upstairs. My grandma lives on the fourth floor, while my Aunt Kim and her fiancée Carlos stayed on the third floor. When my sisters and I finally reached the third floor and went into my Aunts apartment, we set our stuff down. While the kids usually slept at my Aunts' apartment, the grown ups stayed upstairs.
For the next week, my whole family would be making sure everything was set for the special day. During that time, all my cousins from Seattle, Canada, and California arrived. The day before the wedding was a lot of fun because all the kids were sent away while the grown-ups fixed up the apartment. That summer was the first time I met some of my cousins, and we all made sure that we would have as much fun as possible before the occasion was over. .
In Cambodian culture, a wedding goes on for two days, and it is filled with many elaborate details. A traditional wedding is very extravagant and is great eye candy. .
Finally the big day had arrived. On the first day, everyone prayed and after the long hours of praying, everyone ate, and then went to the Botanical Gardens. I was the flower girl so I was every where and took many pictures with everyone. Then on the second day, there was a play performed and singers at the apartment in honor of the bride and groom.
