Throwback Thursday: Reception Memories

 

                Life was so busy this year that we didn’t even have/take time to pause and give it a proper reflection, but this week marked the anniversary of our wedding reception day. If you’re new here, you might not know that Ryan and I were married on a beach in Florida about three weeks before Christmas, and then three months later, we had a big reception at home to celebrate with all our friends and family who hadn’t been able to attend the wedding.

                It’s true that the reception was far more stressful than the wedding, even though we had more time to plan for it. It was a bigger-scale operation, and even though we didn’t serve a meal, there was so much work to put together an ice cream and coffee bar to share!

                I looked back over the scrapbook this week and smiled as I remembered the ice-cream dipping party that Mom and Nita helped us accomplish.

                And then there was the photo shoot in the prayer chapel where I prayed for my someday-husband for years. What a gift to be in that space with him!

                But what struck me most of all was all the change life has brought to those who spent that day with us – thirteen years ago now. Some of the people in the pictures have passed away since that day, and we miss them. The children have grown up. Some friends have moved away. Some friendships have changed with the passing of time and geography. I know that happens, but it doesn’t make it easy, does it?

                These two little sweeties are all grown up – one is in college and the other is about to graduate from high school! And though Faith and I are still friends, we live far enough apart that we don’t get to see each other all that often. We catch up on social media – which was a whole different place 13 years ago!

                I love this picture of Ryan’s mom and her sister. Nita struggled with her health all the time I was in the family, but when I look back on this picture, I remember how healthy she was at this point!

                Our wedding party! We now live far away from all of them, and though we get to see Mark and Lynnette a few times each year, we hardly ever get to see Adam and Sara. We miss them! And my niece is now married and a mama, and her whole life is different from 13 years ago! And there in front (to the right) are our friends Harold and June, who were so sweet to us when we attended church together. Both are in Heaven now. We are thankful they were part of our story.

                This sweet girl, who was one of the four babies I was privileged to see being born, is now a mama herself!

                Ronda and I used to see each other every single day, and now she’s a busy grandma and I hardly ever see her, but when we do get to catch up, it’s like we never missed a beat. I love it.

                Tom and Olivia drove from New York to be part of our reception, and a few days later, she texted to say she was sorry she hadn’t RSVPd for three – and that was how I found out she was pregnant! She’s now expecting baby #7, I believe, and is a fantastic mom!

                I think you might recognize these two. Who ever would have known that 13 years later, we would live in the same county and work together in ministry!?

                And these nieces are all grown up – high school, college, motherhood – all a mix.

                Who knew? This bride sure didn’t. So much change. So many differences. But in all the losses and changes, God has been faithful, God has been good, and I am thankful for this day of celebration!