Reflections on last Saturday, April 23, 2022.
It's been a week since L and A were married. What an event! It was perfect for them: a reflection of their love for one another and their love for family, friends, and life. This week I've been thinking a lot about their wedding weekend, writing thoughts and looking at photos to cement memories.
An April wedding in Chicago carries a lot of uncertainty when it comes to weather. Will it be rainy, will there be snow or even a blizzard (it's happened), will it be cold, will it be warm, what to tell people to wear (keep your eyes on the weather app and bring a couple different changes of clothes). It was ugly and rainy on Thursday and Friday. The weather app kept changing for Saturday but then the angels stepped in, smiled down upon L and A, and gave them an absolutely gorgeous wedding day. It was breezy, but hey, that's the Windy City for you. Sunday it went back to cloudy with a little bit of rain.
My daughter is a beautiful young woman. Every mom will say that about her daughter and it's always true. But to see her in her wedding dress with the glow that love and happiness bring, took my breath away.
The memory table in the foyer. My parents, T's dad, dear friends who recently passed, A's dad, and grandparents. Those are the angels who willed this beautiful day for the kids.
My boys escorted me to my seat. Talk about a lump in my throat. My oldest and youngest, one will be a dad soon. They each gave me a hug before going back to line up in the procession. My boys. What a precious memory.
T walking his daughter down the steps and the aisle. What a beautiful father/daughter moment. And then the question, "Who gives this woman to marry this man?" "Her mother and I." T gave A a big hug that said, "We love you and we know you will take good care of our little girl." She will always be our daughter but now she will start a new and exciting role as A's wife.
The officiant was nothing short of amazing. He nailed the spiritual aspect of marriage but wasn't preachy. He brought real life into the ceremony. His words made L and A relax, smile, and laugh with their happy tears. So many guests commented that he was the best officiant from any wedding they had attended. This young man has a promising future ahead of him.
After the ceremony, cocktail hour with a mariachi band. We knew the evening ahead was going to be fun, but these guys amped up the start of the celebration.
The the bridal party introduction. The groom's parents were introduced with "Sweet Home Chicago," dressed in Blues Brothers style with hats and sunglasses. T and I made our entrance to the Doobie Brothers "Long Train Runnin'." Without love, where would you be now...people were singing.
The rest of the evening was dinner and cake, speeches from FOB T, the maid of honor, and the two best men. All tear jerkers (for me).
When it was time for the dances, the DJ asked everyone to come to the dance floor and make a circle around L and A for their first dance as husband and wife. People obliged and stayed for the father/daughter dance and then the mother/son dance. A and his mom are good dancers. Their song segued into "Vivir Mi Vida" by Marc Anthony which then brought everyone to the dance floor. And people danced all night long.
Weddings are such happy celebrations. They bring together family and friends, the people who mean the most to L and A and to their families. Half of the people attend the wedding because of the bride and the other half because of the groom. But they all are there to celebrate the couple and the promise of a new life that is ahead of them.
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