We Did It!!!

We did it! We gave our baby girl away and she is now a married woman. How did we get to this place in life so fast? These past 8 months have crawled by and flown at the same time. We suffered through nerves and fittings after fittings. There were ups and downs along the way, but it all paid off about 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 9. So many friends and family filled the church and when the music started for us, my husband, one of my best girlfriends and her husband and I walked down the isle and lit the candles that would soon represent our families becoming one big family.



It was a great day and it has been a road we have traveled together for 5 1/2 years as we have watched our two children pledge their lives to one another. We never knew when we put them on that bus to Louisiana that they would come back with the beginning of a life long relationship. Angie and I had plotted and schemed and planted the idea of "liking" one another in their minds, but God brought them together and eventually joined our two families forever.


To say that they complete each other is really an understatement. I prayed for many years that the young man that God had planned for Ashton would be just what she needed. That his family would teach him to love God and love people and most of all prepare him to love his wife. Many times after Todd and Ashton began dating I thought it was getting too serious too soon and that they were too young to be so sure of what they wanted. But who was I to give that advice? I had been their age too, even younger, when Mike and I knew we were going to marry. They were just meant to be. Their love has never been questioned. Their future seemed so sure from the beginning.


Saturday was the perfect day....with only a few problems. I learned about the bouquet that fell on the cake in the refrigerator the day after the wedding. I watched my daughter melt down from nerves only a couple hours before the ceremony. I kept secret the groomsman who was locked out of his car and late to the church. And I'm sure there are other things that I don't know about yet and probably don't need to know about nor does my daughter. In the end, everything was beautiful and my baby girl is married.



I have to say that Cory did a wonderful job letting those in attendance see what a long and wonderful relationship the bride and groom had had. He also had first had knowledge of their courtship since I blame him for the trip to Louisiana and the trips after that. His marriage counseling sessions also gave him some new ammunition for the ceremony with his "communication blocks" and love languages. He really made the ceremony personal and special for them and for the rest of us.


Then I have to give credit to some ladies who really dedicated a lot of time to this marriage. Robyn was a lifesaver for us all. She not only decorated, but took care of the food and flowers for the whole ceremony. On top of that, she kept me in my place....which was a good thing. Laura and Joy and their tireless work on the beautiful cakes
were amazing. I am forever in their debt. There were other kitchen angels who showed up too. Kim, Mary, Mom, Cheryl and Leanna were all tirelessly working. I'm sure others were too and I am sorry I missed "seeing" each person. For some reason I didn't get to that side of the room very often but I know that they kept everything going without a problem and when the dishes were piled so high, they took special care to clean each one. There are many others who made this day go so beautifully. Ashton's girlfriends who stepped up and helped her in these last days were amazing. I did even notice some of them hanging around after Ashton had left to clean up and help put the gym back in order. That was above and beyond the call of duty.


Another special person in this day was Tara. As Maid of Honor, she really stepped up. She was there for her sister and planned parties, kept the peace and was just there for every need. I am a very proud mom. Chelsea too.....cheering her sister on when she was feeling nervous or blue. She always makes Ashton smile.

The couple is enjoying a week away on the shores of Galveston. They have been well provided for by all the gifts of love given to them for the wedding. Words just do not express how truly thankful I am for all the love shown to them. My only request is that those of you who know and love them and honored us with your presence at the wedding, please do keep them close in your prayers. God has been a part of their lives from the beginning and I pray that He stays the center of their marriage.

Our joy is complete. Our family is expanded and a new chapter has begun. I can't wait to see the story that God writes......