The Wedding Party: Love All Around

It’s done! My daughter is now a wife. Though the wedding itself was incredibly special and meaningful, the preparations stand out the most in my mind.

When stress and emotions are high, you get to know the people around you better than ever (for better or worse). I realized how blessed I, Graylyn, and our whole family are to have each other, as well as to have a fabulous new member in Billy.

During that crazy last week of prep, each of us had a role to play, just as we each have always had in our large family. Watching our family come together and make this happen was as priceless as the wedding itself.

Graylyn’s sister-in-laws came to the rescue in so many ways: Abbi lent her house for dressing and photoshoots, while Becca coordinated the wedding as well as helped me test recipes. And baker extraordinaire Milly, Graylyn’s younger sister, made the bride’s cake and groom’s pies. The groom made the North Carolina style BBQ and slaw, while I made the mac and cheese. My husband Scott and son Forrest made the beautiful wreaths that hung in the church. Graylyn’s other brothers helped hang the wreaths and so much more. The kids all helped keep the house running and tended to the bride’s needs the day of the wedding.

Friends were incredible, too: my friend Jerolyn helped make the flower arrangements for the church and the bows, which I am not at all good at making. Friends served at the reception and made sure everything was perfectly in order. How beautiful to watch this act of love come together.

Without even one of the sisters, brothers, and friends, something would have been amiss. There were no complaints at all – just perfect love. I’m thrilled to see how God uses this new couple for His kingdom!