Wedding....a season of change

We attended a lovely wedding this summer. The bride was absolutely breathtaking, the groom tall & handsome. The church glowed with candlelight and flowers and beautiful decorations. And there is love...

And while I am extremely happy for the brand new couple... I'm having some emotions about the ones left behind. The changes ahead. Change is not easy.

This was the wedding of the daughter of very close friends, the first time they've experienced one of their grown up children getting married. They held it together very well, but I know their emotions were running deep on this day.

We watched the bridesmaids (also close family friends of ours) walking down the aisle with expressions of mixed emotion. They were so happy for their friend, but they knew this was an ending of sorts. The end of an era. They will always be friends, but things will change.

We listened as the younger sister of the bride gave a heartfelt speech at the reception about being willing to share her "best friend" with the new groom. About how she knows she will spend less time with her sister and passing on the 'best friend' status to her new brother-in-law. Talk about tugging at the heartstrings.

We listened as the father of the bride gave a wonderful message during the service, speaking of how important it is to gather around the table and enjoy a meal together in love, not strife. To be hospitable. He spoke of past memories & family traditions of decorating gingerbread houses every Christmas season, about spending time at a cabin on the lake every summer.

Everything is going to be just fine. Families learn to adapt to the changes of children growing up, leaving home, getting married, and creating new families of their own.

But just for now.... can I tell you that change is very hard? Ultimately, I am happy for this couple and know they are a great match. Their future is bright. I grieve for the ones left behind as the new couple begin their lives together. They will always be a big part of their lives, but not in the same way. Change.

As a mother of four, I'm not sure how I'm going to survive the changes ahead. Perhaps this was practice for me? I didn't do very well. I'm crying typing this silly post.

The flowers in the photo were the gorgeous centerpieces on all the tables at the reception. I was lucky to be told to take one home.

Congratulations Kelsey & Tomas. All God's blessings upon you... you are loved.