(By Bloom Photography)
And I'm not saying that just because it was my son getting married.
Well, maybe I am a little partial, but it was also the setting, the weather, the bride, the groom (my son), the attendants (including two of my kids), the chaplain, the guests...
Trust me. It was absolutely perfect.
(by Drew Sartain)
A few raindrops kissed my face, but the rest waited until we were all in the reception hall, eating and laughing and dancing...after the sun broke through the clouds for a beautiful sunset right at the end of the ceremony.
I wish I had tons of photos for you, but I was forbidden from bringing my camera. The bride and groom wanted me to relax and be in the moment, instead of behind the lens, which is so sweet of them.
(I still brought it, of course, with the loophole idea of having someone else take photos with it at the reception, but in my rush to get out the door on time, I left my memory card in my computer at home because Tom had seen a bat swooping over the pond and I had gone out to take photos and wanted to get a close look at it so I loaded them on my computer and...oops.)
Anyway, you can imagine how my heart sank when I realized I couldn't take a single photo myself, but I'm glad the camera card is all I forgot to bring with me. And there were plenty of others snapping away.
My mother and father were there, thanks to my sister and her husband, as well as Tom's mother and half of his brothers. We also celebrated with dear friends, kids I watched grow into amazing adults, and tons of people we are now officially related to by marriage.
I didn't cry. But my heart soared, filled with something that is so hard to describe, similar to our sparklers forming a tunnel for them at the end, all bright and shiny and warm.
(by George Karr)
I'm so grateful for Facebook, because I know the newest Mr. and Mrs. Tom Shallue arrived safe and sound in Venice. I look forward to traveling vicariously through them around Italy the next few days, while I simultaneously ease back into my normal routine.
Life is good because love is real.
Amen.
(by Darla Thomas)
