The Wedding

Of course I forgot to take my camera.

Olivia, Julius and I went to my friend Aven's wedding today. Aven is a lovely young woman who has overcome much in her life to come into her heritage as a woman of God. She is fun, beautiful, and strong. I met Aven when the Fichtners bought Servant's Heart over four years ago.

I have actually known her husband Justin for longer. He and I worked together at Servant's Heart years ago. His mother was the assistant manager when it was the old store, and I loved her very much, and have always had a good estimation of Justin's character.

To see two good people like that meet and fall in love; it makes me so happy. There's no soap opera about the romance, just a good old-fashioned love story.

I don't think I can even put into words how happy it makes me. Aven was a beautiful bride today. The ceremony was lovely. There was so much happiness in the room. It's not just "weddings make me happy", though that's true, and I always enjoy a wedding, regardless of the circumstances. But this was special. I feel... like its an affirmation of everything that is still good in the world. My feelings are too big for my heart and my smile is too big for my face.

Here's what made me happy:

Their vows written to one another - heart-stirring.

"Mr. and Mrs. Justin Shupe"

Beautiful Aven.

Olivia asking to sit next to Nina... then asking if she could move next to the dance floor during their first dance because she wanted to "see the whole dress"

Seeing Abby - Seth Friederich's little girl who was born a day before Julius - in person.

Seth stealing a chair and bringing it to the head table so he could eat with his wife and daughter.

The father-daughter dance: Chuck methodically getting all his ducks in a row so he could make his way over to beautiful Lisa and ask her to dance (she smiled so beautifully).

The mother-son dance: Nancy's five boys (a sixth not being present) all hovering to dance around her - Nina and her three wonderful young men... Julius snuggling against his mommy for his own mother-son dance.

The "Servant's Heart Girls" throwing a fiver and a couple singles into the basket for the dollar dance so we could all dance with Aven at once... love in a circle :)

What a beautiful day.

It's easy for me to be so whole-heartedly happy about weddings, when I have my darling Chief who loves me so truly.