The Raft

Rachel got married yesterday.

I know it's blurry but this is Rachel and her husband, Angelo and the other picture is my kids - completely mesmerized by the Bride and Groom's first dance.  They were totally awestruck.

This was my kids' first wedding.  They were beyond excited.  

I don't think they had any idea what it would entail but they knew that mommy & daddy had gone to a few without them and that they were included in this one was a thrilling adventure.

I love that it was Rachel's wedding that they saw their first bride, their first groom, their first wedding cake, their first dance floor with loud music.  They loved every minute of it.

When we sat down in the church (the packed-standing-room-only-church that was about 400 degrees) Abby was perfectly up straight, hands in lap, waiting patiently.  Wyatt was hopping from my lap to Granbear's lap and stage-whispering "Where's Wachel?  I can't see Wachel!"

They sat still for about half the ceremony and we went to the back of the church with about a dozen other little kids and crying infants for the last half.

It was beautiful and meaningful and all that, but kids in hot churches aren't always the best pew-mates.

Rachel was a beautiful bride.  Absolutely stunning, really.  

And how many people do we say that about and actually mean it?  

A beautiful bride is a beautiful bride.  

You take a pretty girl and dress her to the nines, mix in some bliss and voila - a beautiful bride.

But Rachel is an absolutely beautiful woman in jeans, t-shirt and no makeup.  

She doesn't even need to shower to look hot.

So, add a bridal gown that accentuated her amazing body, throw some makeup on an already ravishing face and add in the most joy I have ever seen in that woman's face - and voila - a beautiful bride like you have never witnessed.

Compounded by the fact that Rachel was still Rachel, not a Bridezilla.

She laughed at herself and her father and her groom on the altar.  She welcomed and loved, hugged and was genuinely thrilled to see every single person at the wedding.  

She was herself, magnified.  She was magnificent.

And her groom wasn't too shabby, either.  He is a very handsome guy, a very loving guy and he, too, was surrounded by his loving, doting family and friends.  

And considering the two have known each other his entire life, the whole party was basically a family reunion of friends, family and every person that they love.

We were seated with some high school friends.  Women that I see now and then at showers, weddings and the like.  I always love to see them, we always have a great time and last night we joked that we'd see each other "next year at Rachel's Baby Shower". 

That may or may not come to fruition but it's fun to think about.

The other thing that our table and some others (there were close to 300 people there at my estimation) made me think of is this - Rachel is a good friend.  She has good friends.  

Friends that came from far and near to celebrate her day with her.  Friends that absolutely love and adore her.  

And the reason is that she gives of herself, everything she has and is, without asking for anything in return.  

She has character.  Integrity.  She is forgiving, understanding and loyal.  

Rachel epitomizes Grace.

And as I watched her become Mrs. Sarna yesterday, I cried.

I cried because in the 20+ years we have been friends, we have seen so much.  We have seen each other through so many experiences.  The ups and downs, the joy and pain of our lives as young women.  

And now, I see my friend with a man that loves her so much.  A man that will protect her, comfort her and love her as unconditionally as she will love him back.  

I am grateful to Angelo for that.  

Congratulations.