The day started a bit early for me, but I thought I was ready.
When I arrived at the venue, the tears came. I wanted nothing more than to share this experience with my husband, but I couldn’t. And… I had work to do. The day started with decorating a trellis, and setting out some food for the soon-to-arrive bridal party. I was blessed to sit in the room with my daughter and her friends as they shared stories, laughed and genuinely just enjoyed each others company. It was beautiful to witness the comradery between these young women, and the love they have for my daughter. I love that she has each of them in her life.
Seeing my little girl in her wedding dress was surreal. It’s simply not fair how quickly the years have passed. She was absolutely beautiful, glowing, and no longer my little girl. Before me stood the woman that would enter into the covenant of marriage with the love of her life. A woman that was about to make vows and begin her own family. A woman I raised, loved, and poured everything I could, everything I am, into. Here was this woman embarking on what I pray is the best adventure of her life. And I literally had a front row seat.
I can’t say the day was bitter sweet, because there was absolutely nothing bitter about it, but every second, every interaction, simply magnified the absence of my person. Of the one I exchanged vows with, of the man that would’ve been beaming with pride and love as our daughter walked down the aisle from her childhood, and straight to her future.
Gone is the little girl that was my responsibility, the little girl that I had to reassure constantly that she was worthy of love, and affection, and uncompromising happiness. She grew into a woman that will now share her life with a man whose responsibility it is to lead her rightly, and care for her spiritual welfare. That beautiful burden so perfectly shifting to a young man that my husband and I love so very much.
It was a day of unrelenting blessings and beauty…I’ll never forget it. I’m no longer the mother of the bride, and that’s ok, that job was exhausting… but oh so worth it.
My daughter, and now son, found one another. Their union is an answered prayer. I’ve been praying for my children’s future spouses since I became a believer; desiring nothing more than for them to find their other halves. Someone who loves Jesus more than anything. So… ending this chapter I say, AMEN, and THANK YOU, to the God who bestowed mercy and love so generously upon a wretch like me, that is so utterly undeserving.
Please keep the newlyweds in your prayers as marriage is not for the faint of heart. May they grow in their love and pursuit of Jesus, together, until they are called Home.