Wedding Reception

Late this afternoon, we went to a wedding reception for a young couple at our church, Josh and Katie. They actually got married the end of April.

Katie's father was diagnosed six months ago with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His health was failing, things did not look good, and Katie desperately wanted her Dad to walk her down the aisle and give her away. So they moved their wedding up to the end of April, and had a private ceremony in her parents home, so that her father could indeed do just that, walk her down the aisle and give her away, to Josh.

So that everyone could participate in the celebration of the Lord joining them together in marriage, today was set aside for a reception and celebration. It was a beautiful reception, held in the community center of the small city in which our church meets. The tables were decorated simple, but pretty. And the food was all pot luck. Every little detail was thought of, there was their first dance, the toasts, the garter and flower bouquet toss. All the things of a regular wedding reception, however there was only one thing missing...

And that was Katie's Dad.

He died on Thursday.

And despite his death, the celebration went on.

Our pastor lead them in the traditional vows once again. Katie and Josh also exchanged vows that they wrote for one another. Josh quoted promises to Katie. And the words Katie wrote were ones filled with such emotion, referencing how her Daddy was her hero and how he took care of her when there were spiders to be dealt with, fixed things when they were broke, and helped her fight against a popular video game warrior. She closed her vows with saying she had a new hero now, and that hero was Josh.

As if Katie's vows weren't enough to send you into a pool of tears, weddings are usually a source of a tear or two for me. It takes me back to the memories of my own wedding. Despite being so sick, it was one of the happiest days of my life, and seeing others begin their new life together always brings back the memories of our own happy day.

Despite the sadness of the week, it looked as though Katie and Josh were having a good time, celebrating their new life together.