Not Flawless but Perfect

We celebrated our daughter's wedding Saturday. She had waited patiently for God's best for her and when they met, it was quickly apparent to both of them that his blessing was on their relationship.  Two months after their engagement, they are husband and wife.  Two months to make wedding arrangements is a rather short amount of time, but with God, nothing is impossible.  I think he has delighted in lavishing his blessings on them.  The charter school where she has taught since its inception held its first graduation in a beautiful chapel on a Bible school campus with a spectacular view out to the Colorado mountains.  At the time she commented that this would be an awesome place for a wedding.  It was available only one weekend all summer and that was this last Saturday. Originally, the chapel was not available Friday night for the rehearsal, so we anticipated practicing at her former school; however, several weeks prior to the wedding, we found out that arrangements had been made so we could have the chapel for the rehearsal and the wedding.

 We shopped for a wedding dress and found one in a bridal shop.  An hour and a half after we walked in the door, we had purchased a dress  that made her feel beautiful-- and she is.  We met with the lady at the bakery, the sister of a woman our daughter works with, and decided on delectable cake tiers, each a  different flavor with different fillings and a classic design that was simple yet elegant.  The flower shop woman put together sample bouquets of deep pink roses accented with lavender roses, royal blue delphinium, white orchids and star gazer lilies to match the royal blue and hot pink wedding colors.  These flowers would also decorate the four-tiered cake.  Our daughter found royal blue bridesmaids dresses in the right sizes for her petite matron of honor sister-in-law and tall elegant redheaded best friend.  Her townhouse was rented out a month before the wedding to a new teacher at her former school.  A teaching position in her small new community opened up, and she signed a contract to begin teaching one month after her wedding. God's blessings have been evident each step of the way, and the culminating delight was the ceremony on Saturday.

The wedding day was a beautiful with a crisp clear Colorado sky decorated with billowy clouds.  The reception area was ready for guests. Tables covered with blue and topped with lace table cloths from grandmothers and great grandmothers held the food. Silver candelabras, pink candles, bows, and tulle decorated the tables.  The cake turned out beautifully with blue scrolls flourishing on the sides topped with abundant fresh flowers.  Heart-shaped sugar cookies baked by a friend and rose cream cheese mints (a favorite of the bride) made by grandma and cousins indicated the love that went into the preparations.

 The guests arrived from one end of the country to the other. College friends whom she had not seen since they graduated came from Seattle, Idaho, Kansas and Washington DC.  Family from California, Florida, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado joined in the celebration.  Community members and colleagues of both the bride and groom offered their support as well.  Everyone dressed in their wedding attire: the groom and groomsmen in their tuxes with royal blue vests and ties, bridesmaids in slim knee-length royal blue dresses, flower girls twirling in their white dresses, hot pink bows streaming down the back, and three ring bearers in classic button-down light blue shirts and black Wranglers with their cowboy boots and belts.  The bride was glowing with happiness and an inner beauty in her elegant white gown that fit her perfectly.

The chapel was full; the ring bearers dutifully held their ring pillows and walked solemnly to the front; the little flower girls were coaxed to walk the aisle and toss flower petals along the way.  The bridal march signaled the bride's entry on the arm of her father.  Her dad, moved with emotion and joy, determined to keep a smile on his face as he walked his daughter to the front and gladly responded to "Who gives this woman to be married?" responded, "Her mother and I," and took his seat next to me.   We listened with reverence as a trio of her friends sang "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" a capella, filling the vast reaches of the chapel with rich vibrant melody.They exchanged very traditional vows to " love honor and cherish till death do us part."  As they exchanged rings and repeated their lines, she mistakenly tried to put the ring on his right hand. Laughing at the "ring malfunction" and forgetting what she should say next, she asked if they could start that part again.  Enjoying every moment of the ceremony, they continued, rings on the correct hand; their delight in each other radiated.  After they kissed and were introduced as husband and wife, the guests errupted with applause and cheers. The bride and groom wanted a reception line so they could be sure to talk to each guest who came to support them. Everyone mulled around visiting and enjoying the time and refreshments.  This wedding was about the people, not the party.  The day was filled with joy and celebration of two lives joined in marriage.

At the hotel the next day, my sister-in-law said that everything at the wedding was flawless.  I responded that it was not flawless, but it was perfect.  It was a perfectly wonderful and appropriate celebration of their new life together. God is so good!