Our Royal Wedding

--the happy couple.



--the bride's two sisters stood up with her. it was great to meet them!


--my dad (back, right) and 3 of his 4 siblings.



--an aunt and uncle from Belfast, North Ireland



--the bride and her mother


The day dawned beautifully at my parents' farm. After many weeks of rain, it appeared the weather would be perfect for a garden wedding. A light breeze blew and the sun was shining.

The rainy spring made Mom's flower gardens look amazing, with red roses giving a punch of color in front of the white farm house.

Mom's friends came early to decorate the front porch, make deviled eggs, organize and chat and soothe. It felt really special.

My boys and their male cousins looked all prim and proper in their suits. We all knew a football was waiting in the hostas for them. Football in Grandma and Grandpa's yard is their family tradition, no matter the weather or occasion.

The bride and groom were stunning. She was beautiful in her traditional white gown, carrying a spray of roses and baby's breath. Esther could not have been more stunning, with her radiant smile and loving heart.

Troy wore a classic tux. Mom said after it was all over, she went upstairs to his room and the only remnants were the cardboard and wrappings from his tux. It pulled at my heart a bit. They have been close for 48 years, and now enter a new chapter. As a mama, I felt a bit sentimental about that.

The wedding itself was very special. An old friend of Troy's married them. He is a tall, boisterous Australian. But in this ceremony, he was kind and gentle and a bit subdued. After he announced them as a couple, he sobbed sweetly. His were the only tears I saw.

Brought together by God, bonded in their shared desire to serve Him and be better for Him. I hope you enjoy these photos of a day that touched my heart deeply. :)
(more photos on the way)