I served Mary Anne & her husband, Steve, in a special wedding celebration this summer. This was a special family-only wedding, in the backyard of the bride's father's home in Everett. Her father was not able to travel to her big wedding in California the month prior, due to his health. It was important to this bride that her dad be a part of her special day & to have the chance to walk her down the isle so she brought the second half of her wedding to him! What an honor to be able to serve this couple ♡♡
Mary Anne's older sister, Grace, had initially contacted me. Grace lives in Marysville and their father and stepmother reside in Everett, off of a lake I didn't know existed. (You would think that living in Everett for 18 years I would have heard of this manmade lake!) Older sister Grace explained to me that her sister and her husband lived in Southern California, along with their mother and stepfather. Their family in Washington traveled to California to join in the festivities but their father, who was battling health issues, was not among them. She explained that Mary Anne had been planning her wedding since they were girls and one of the important highlights was to have their father walk her down the isle. In the "California wedding", as it was referred to, their stepfather had the honor of escorting Mary Anne. Although she appreciated and cherished that memory, it still was not a substitute for the man who gave her life. The idea of the "Washington wedding" would come to life.
I could identify the importance of such a detail and appreciated the efforts both Grace and Mary Anne were putting forth to make this dream a reality. I had lost my father 11 days before my wedding day and the dream of being able to come down the isle holding onto my father's arm would never be. As much as I appreciated everyone who attended, my family and friends who supported me, that one dream would never be my reality. Thinking about helping another bride make her dream a reality became very important to me. I told Grace that I would be grateful if her family would consider me to serve them. A day or so passed and I received a call from Mary Anne. I would serve as their minister.
We planned this intimate celebration across the miles, with Mary Anne in Southern California and me in Northwest Washington. I incorporated several ideas that I gleaned from their California wedding including a new rendition of their wedding vows. I spent time learning about them through phone calls, emails and a wedding website, full of history about their relationship. I always provide a custom written ceremony for each of my couples. For this wedding, it would be no exception. When I sent over the rough draft for my bride and groom to review and was told it brought them to tears. Mission accomplished.
On wedding day, I arrived at the Beverly Lake neighborhood with a lump in my throat. I was so happy to be able to serve this couple in such an amazing way. God gave me the chance to minister to this couple and their family. Although it wouldn't be a part of my history to have my father physically at my wedding, it would be a part of this woman's. I have to admit, when her father escorted her down the isle, I did not have dry eyes. I was blessed to witness this moment.
After their ceremony, photos were taken. I offered to get behind the camera and take family photos of the bride and groom with her siblings, their children, and their spouses. There was also a request for a photo with just the bride with her sisters and their dad. A few weeks later, I would have the chance to see these photos.
Even now, I can't help but smile just thinking about it.
