Spring Wedding at the Grove

Patrick and Rebekah, May 22, 2021

As Patrick waited, hands folded, staring out into the greenery... the anticipation was tangible. Electric even. Facing the woods in all it's spring glory. His back to her. A lifetime of wondering comes to a head.

The bride enters and pauses. He knows his dream is standing right behind him, real and beautiful. His smile makes me cry even now. She reaches out to softly touch his shoulder.

And as he turns and his face melts in joy and wonder and love, I am overcome. He pulls her in, brushes back her hair, rests his forehead to hers as they whisper sweet secrets lost in that place and time, known now only to them.

The simplicity of their joy was so pure. Weddings are a blessing because love is contagious. It does the heart good to be a part of a bigger story, to see and experience other's love, to participate in their lives. We are made for community such as this.

To be able to celebrate and laugh and dance together,

share memories and blessings as a father gives his only daughter away,

as best friends stand beside their people,

as friends and family gather together after long separations...

as two become one flesh, a family is born, and what was separate is merged.

It's the coming together, under God, to dedicate your lives to choosing to love your person. Your new family. To honor and respect and do life with him or her for as long as you both shall live.

So Dear Bride in all your beauty, how sweet to know how long his love will last. I saw the way he smiled before he saw you. His heart is for you. Entirely. He wasn't smiling at your dress or your beautiful hair or the gold-dust above your eyes. He saw past that, it was just you. Treasuring you for all your immeasurable worth. The sacred gift of you. And in return I saw the way you adored him. That's the stuff that lasts the ages, that makes it through the hard times and brings crazy joy to the average. Beyond a feeling, it's the choice. You have chosen each other and will keep on doing so. I am so excited to have stood by you that day and captured that joy for generations to come.