Yesterday, I got all gussied up so that the Mr. and I could attend the wedding of a young lady we had known for fifteen years.
We first met her when we moved to Podunk, USA, and Chicky began playing on the same soccer team as her younger sister.
When you play travel soccer, you get to be very good friends with the families of the other players. Strong bonds are forged…bonds that don’t go away when life leads you down different paths.
It was such a joy to watch people arrive…since we always seem to be the first to arrive at every single wedding we attend.
The location was a favorite for weddings. We have a LOT of water around these here parts, and it provides a beautiful backdrop for fancy shindigs.
We saw a lot of the kids’ friends from high school.
Oh, it was a love fest, let me tell you.
Watching this beautiful young lady walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams brought tears to my eyes.
Photo cred to a gal I snagged this from on Facebook. I know she wouldn’t mind. 😉
You should have seen the groom’s face as his precious bride made her way down that aisle on the arm of her father.
Both men had tears in their eyes…for very different reasons.
The ceremony was very traditional and so very sweet, and it wasn’t long before they got to do the kiss thing and walk off as husband and wife.
Meanwhile, we headed to the clubhouse for the reception. I took a few pictures because this is the same place where Rooster and his girl will have their wedding in December (remember that they are already married, but this will be the big ceremony).
Everything was so shiny and oh so classy. The decor took my breath away.
We sat at a table in front of the wedding party’s.
As we waited for the bride and groom to arrive, we chatted with friends. The Mr. snagged some food to munch on. There wasn’t anything that I could eat due to my food allergies and vegan lifestyle. I knew I would be able to eat later when I got home, so it wasn’t a big deal.
Meanwhile, the conversation was really the most important thing. Having the chance to catch up with the young people who had been such a big part of our lives for so many years was simply incredible. Hearing about how they were renovating homes they’d purchased and making strides in their careers made me wish that time could slow down a bit.
How sweet, too, as we watched the bridal party arrive and then participate in the time-honored traditions that make weddings the sweet events that they are…first dance husband/wife…father/daughter dance…mother/son dance.
Oh, my heart. Moved so very much it was.
We loved hearing the bride’s sister make her toast. These girls…so special to us.
I’m not a huge socializer…introvert that I am…but I did seek out the bride’s parents.
Her mom is a classy lady. She wore a long blue dress that was heavenly. I love this woman to pieces, and seeing her smile was wonderful. We don’t get to see each other very often.
I also spent time chatting with the bride’s father. Oh boy, it was hard to see the tears in his eyes as he described his bittersweet feelings about having his oldest daughter leave. Being a dad and letting go is so hard.
The DJs got cranked up after the cake had been cut, and I did dance to a few songs before the Mr. and I headed home to catch the last couple of college football games on TV.
Priorities, people. Males. Sigh. I could have stayed all night just soaking up the love that made that large reception room so very, very small.
I look forward to the next soccer girl getting married so that we can all join once together in celebration.
Filed under: empty nest | Tagged: parenting, soccer, weddings | Leave a comment »
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