Happy First Anniversary

Dear J and K:

Happy First Anniversary! It seems impossible that a year has already passed. I want to share with you something I wrote the week after your wedding last year:

"It's been a week today since The Wedding, and I will have to admit that I'm surprised to see dates on the calendar that go past November 3. Somehow, time stopped for me with that date. The accompanying jolt has been that it has taken me a while to get used to the fact that there is not always one more detail to take care of or one more list to make. My mind stays on high alert and I'm constantly reminding myself that we are done with wedding planning. It reminds me of when a newborn stretches its arms looking for the safe boundaries of the womb. No containing walls. What to do with all this free time? My nephew has suggested Frisbee golf. I look more to the newly empty bedrooms that no longer look like a Hobby Lobby wedding outlet. Perhaps there WILL finally be a scrapbooking room, or sewing room...the possibilities are endless.

"The journey to The Wedding was a faith building one. Dave's operation was two months before the wedding date. I am here to tell you, that if you can have peace in planning a wedding through this surgery (literally addressing invitations from a hospital), then this peace is definitely "surpassing all comprehension"!

"Friday was a day to decorate the church and reception hall. Crowds of helpers arrived and got to work like a well-trained army. We had so many people helping out with little pieces that I did not even know how it would look until it all came together. It was elegant. And autumn-y. And perfect. Let the celebration begin!

"The rehearsal and dinner that night were about fun and family . The first tears as we watched a preview of the slide show that would be shown at the wedding. Slides beginning with K and J's baby pictures and chronicling the journey to each other and this day. And the two of them among us: so happy it almost made your eyes hurt to look at them. The way J kept looking at my K like he had just won the lottery stole my heart. May he always see her that way.

"And the clock continued to tick and it is The Day and we are meeting in a salon in Georgetown for hair appointments. My sister has laid out a spread of food that is truly amazing. That is a picture of the day: beautiful surprises each and every way we turn. And now it is time to go to the chapel.

"There is a sharp focus that the important things in life are faith, family and friends. Family has traveled from all over the country to be here and we are so honored. A friend of mine from college has driven from west Texas to surprise me: the gift of her presence is the best one of all. The gift of everyone's presence as they come to witness this covenant of marriage to these two young people we love so fiercely.

"My son, who is now a man, walks me down the aisle. My husband, D, is waiting on the front row. And finally the moment that the door opens and K is walking down the aisle to become J's bride. J still has that awed look that is now accompanied by tears in his eyes. K is glowing. My brother-in-law, M, walks K down the aisle and then lets D give her away. A family prayer circle follows at the front. D is almost too overcome to speak. But we all know and we all understand that that in itself is a prayer of thanksgiving. They are pronounced man and wife.

"We had a reception where the bride and groom graciously included everyone in the room with love and laughter. They left to bubbles with huge smiles on their faces.

"I'm sure there were parts in between, but I will have to wait for the wedding pictures to completely remember them. My mind is a blur of blessed images. The pictures will help us remember this day over and over and over.

"For me, this day will always be a faith builder. An example of how God will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory. Not just the physical needs like the flowers, cakes and buffet foods. But the spiritual needs for faith, family and friends. Because, in the end, that is what is eternal and lasting. The flowers have already faded, but the spirit of the hand of God on that day will be forever. And we are forever grateful."
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And now, J and K, it has been a year. Each time I talk to K on the phone I ask her, "Are you still madly in love?" And she always sighs and says, "YES". Once I forgot to ask and I soon got a text that said, "YES: we are still madly in love." May it ever be for you both.

The happiest of anniversaries to our favorite newlyweds.


Love, Mom and Dad