When you can see the love.

My little brother got married on September 17, 2011.  He married Brandi Marks whom we love and cherish as a member of our family.  We have known her for years and are so excited that she is now official and we can refer to her as "Aunt Brandi".  I have known for a long time that Joe and Brandi would get married. Seeing the man that my brother has become while in his relationship with her has me excited for their future together.  A couple holidays ago when I asked Joe about his feelings for Brandi and whether she was "the one".  He answered, "I just can't see my life without her."  Yep, when you know, you know. 

The Groom's Family

Their ceremony was small and intimate and a casual family affair.  They got married at a beach house in Panama City Beach under a bamboo awning made by family members.  The decorations and food were all provided by a multitude of loving family and friends who had a part in adding their touches to their celebration.  Brandi asked me to do a reading during the service which I was more than happy to do.  Except that when I read it, the words were so profound and so touching that I got emotional just thinking about reading it aloud.  I read it over and over trying to detach my feelings from the words on the page and thought that I had accomplished this task.  However, when the ceremony was underway and the magnitude of the words was combined with the love that I could feel between my brother and his new wife, I was a goner.  

“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

When I read this passage I cannot help but apply them to my own life.  At every wedding I attend I am reaffirmed in the vows that I made to Jason seven years ago.  When we were getting married they were promises, giving my word that I would be there with him as his partner.  In the few short years that make up the history of our marriage we have lived "for better and for worse" and we know that we are both here together, no matter what.  Seven years is a short amount of time in the married world and I am blessed to know that those vows I made May 30, 2004 have not been broken.  So far we have passed each test this world has thrown at us, stronger for the battle.  I read the passage and think of my husband, my provider, my love who cradles our babies and wraps me in an embrace that makes everything right in the world.  

Our babies were the flower girl and ring bearer.  They performed their jobs perfectly!  Allison was overjoyed at being in a real wedding and having her moment to throw the flowers.  She did just as she was told, carefully doling out each individual flower petal as she walked down the aisle.  When she arrived by my side she still had a basket full of petals.  Jack was instructed to hold Allison's dress while they walked.  He did.  In a tight fist with white knuckles with a look of concentration knowing that he could not mess this up since it was too important.  I think he knew that if that walk down the aisle went wrong, his sister might never forgive him.  

Walking down the aisle

 One of my favorite pictures from the wedding is of Allison and Jack walking back up the aisle.  We had practiced walking back up as a family since each of them stood with us during the ceremony.  As they watched the other members of the bridal party parade up the aisle as couples, they grabbed hands and walked ahead of us.  It was so sweet and now I have documentation that they might actually have affection for each other!

A moment of love

There are times that we are blessed with moments when we can see love.  Often they are where you expect it, like at a wedding.  Other times it witnessed between a father and son, in child's eyes as they look at you, or in a glance between husband and wife who truly know each other.  These moments take my breath away.  The way that my brother looked at his wife and promised to be true to her, seeing the love flow between them as they committed their lives to each other, these are moments that are to be treasured.  I try to catalog these moments in my mind, because film does a decent job but nothing can replace the emotions that are evoked when you are present in these moments.  

                          "Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. "     

Leo Buscaglia