This past weekend I escorted my mom to a family friends wedding. She needed a date and it was a great reason to spend some bonding time her. Plus I would get to see wonderful family friends who I have not seen in one too many years.
Well, weddings, we have all been to at least one. I remember back in my 20’s it was what you did all summer. Attend friends weddings, and boy, were they fun. You looked forward to hanging out with friends, drinking, eating and dancing.
Now, 12 years into my own marriage, it is not too often we get a wedding invite. Mainly, cause we are getting Thomas the Train Birthday invites instead. Little did I know that it was going to be a wedding that would make Holland, Michigan forever special in my heart.
Holland Michigan Wedding
This past Saturday, I realized that every married couple should attend a wedding at least every 2-3 years. In my 20’s, I attended weddings and had a blast. But, now, after many years of marriage and 3 kids later, I lived this wedding differently.
There is nothing like being in a chapel of white, witnessing the innocence of love between a man and women. The tears of admiration as they read their vows to each other. The smiles of pride as they held each other hands. The tender stares coming from those in the pews as they watched something so magical, yet so common. The intertwining of two lives that will forever be changed. The traditions of two families that are coming together, knowing with certainty that their teachings made this couple just perfect for each other.
Family, friends, love, traditions, marriage. Something we all have the right to experience.
As you can imagine, I began streaming tears the second I witnessed the mother of the groom come down the aisle. Her eyes full of emotion, I, knowing she must have done something right. Isn’t that something all us moms hope for. I couldn’t keep the tears away as I watched the grooms sister look up at her younger brother with such honor. The tears came when I heard the grooms younger brother share his excitement for his own brothers excitement (wedding speech inside joke here).
Oh gosh, and don’t get me started on the gorgeous bride. Her vows basically had me wiping my eyes uncontrollably. Reminding all the wives in her presence that we love, believe, and dream the hopes of our husbands. I thought I couldn’t LEARN anything more from this ceremony UNTIL came the speeches. Re-learning the meaning of family and tradition from the powerhouse that is the brides mother and grandmother. Oh gosh how we all wished we could get a number!!! (insert another inside wedding joke here)
Steph and Jamey, THANK YOU, for reminded us all that life should be full of “weddings!”
Lucia says
Thank you for driving me to the treshhold of what Heaven should looks and feel like