This past Saturday, my son Eric (Biff) wed his longtime love and undoubtedly his soul mate Jessi Petty. It was a beautiful evening wedding in a scenic and picturesque lake mountain setting. It couldn't have been more perfect in every sense of the word from a mother of the groom's point of view, and I also think all the guests thoroughly enjoyed the event as well.
Beautiful Lake Tomahawk was the setting
The three of us start down the aisle~
It was a day I won't soon forget. I was so proud of my oldest son, and could hardly believe my husband and I were on each side of him as he made his way down that aisle to get married (actually Biff and Steve ended up walking me down the path -haha!) Biff had asked us to walk with him, a tradition which seems to be growing these days and we were honored. Thank you Lord for CCSVI so that I was able to do that--what a blessing. Biff was so poised in what he was doing. The surety of his steps and his total confident air eased my mind that he had no hesitation in this very important decision he was making.
After we were seated, the ceremony began, with the attendants dancing down the aisle to Al Green's "Love and Happiness" song. It was a hoot! See if you can get the picture: the kids literally boogied down the burlap carpet imprinted with Jessi and Eric 9/24/11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsU6_eSG4k4. It set the tone for a great event.
Best man, Said Lissone, started the procession off!
Next Maid of Honor, Keely Knopp, did her thing
Biff's little brother Jordy was a bit more embarrassed...
Man of Honor (Jessi's brother Josh) had no problem getting into the groove,
amusing all of Biff's high school buddies who came up for the wedding~
Then the music switched and the beautiful bride began her walk:
Mom, Lora, walking her daughter down the aisle
And back to my story--
Jessi and he met when he was a baby. In case you haven't read my other blogs, a little catch up for you. We lived in the same apartment complex as Jessi's parents, and when we moved out, we kept in touch with the family. There were a few birthday parties with the kids and such before Jessi moved away to Michigan when she was about 5 or 6. She wouldn't enter our life again until many years later, after she graduated from college and a stint in the peace corps, in 2006.
Eric and Jessi taking their vows~the love in their eyes was evident.
Sure, there will be ups and down, but that's life, isn't it? You can't live with someone for any length of time, and not have them get on your nerves. I don't care who you are. Biff and Jessi enjoy each other's company. They are best friends, and that will take them a long, long way. I know that because I've been married to my best friend for over 33 years now. Looks will eventually fade and sex will wane as the years go by, but if you have that foundation of friendship added to your love, you will always want to be there for each other in good times and bad.
It is a real comfort for me to know that these kids truly love each other and are dedicated to a lifetime together. Life can be so tough and it sure isn't fair. A person can get thrown around like a rag doll at certain times, we all know that.
But, if you have someone who really loves you for who you are on the inside, and can be there through everything that happens on this crazy journey we call life, then you've really found someone to hang onto with all you've got. I believe these two have found that and my prayer is that they will always remember those sweet vows they took on Saturday and remember the love they felt on that very special day.
May they hang on tight to each other and Almighty God through the many joys and sorrows of life. Rejoice in the Lord in the good times and in the bad. That's what He wants, and that's what He expects. He will be your joy and your hope as you go through this life journey together, if you let Him. You are both blessed children of God, as we all are-- never forget that.
It was a wonderful event, filled with lots of great memories, laughter, dancing and fun. They were blessed to have many of the people in their lives to help them make the day special. There was lots of family, especially on Jessi's side, and many friends from near and far. It was a perfectly perfect event!
Alot of Biff's buddies came up from Florida for the event~
Best man Said (who came from Amsterdam) and brother Jordy
The bridal party: Keely, Josh, Jessi, Biff, Jordy, and Said
The new and improved Watts Family with daughter-in-law Jessi -
there is finally another girl in my family! YEAH! (sorry Molly, doggies are different)
Mr and Mrs.Watts have their first dance together~
I was even able to dance a few times with my hubby - thank you Lord for CCSVI!
Jessi, welcome to the family, or Team Watts as you called us on Saturday. The Watts men are fiercely loyal, devoted and protective of their "gals." You won't be disappointed. So glad you're now officially part of the club. Welcome aboard~
My verse for today is about being thankful and rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
" Be joyful always, pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
My prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father:
Thank you so much for these two young people. Please bless them as they start their new life together as man and wife. Help them to turn to you, rejoicing and praying in good times and bad. Watch over them and protect them each day. Guide their steps as they start this journey together.
I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, my Savior,
Amen.
It was a day I won't soon forget. I was so proud of my oldest son, and could hardly believe my husband and I were on each side of him as he made his way down that aisle to get married (actually Biff and Steve ended up walking me down the path -haha!) Biff had asked us to walk with him, a tradition which seems to be growing these days and we were honored. Thank you Lord for CCSVI so that I was able to do that--what a blessing. Biff was so poised in what he was doing. The surety of his steps and his total confident air eased my mind that he had no hesitation in this very important decision he was making.
amusing all of Biff's high school buddies who came up for the wedding~
And back to my story--
Jessi and he met when he was a baby. In case you haven't read my other blogs, a little catch up for you. We lived in the same apartment complex as Jessi's parents, and when we moved out, we kept in touch with the family. There were a few birthday parties with the kids and such before Jessi moved away to Michigan when she was about 5 or 6. She wouldn't enter our life again until many years later, after she graduated from college and a stint in the peace corps, in 2006.
But, when these two did reconnect, some 5 years ago, it was magic and they never looked back. I like to think their meeting was a "God-Thing" as I like to call them. I would have never dreamed that a girl we knew briefly from 25 years ago, would re-enter our lives and steal Biff's heart in the process, but it was meant to be. Fate as many call it, but I believe there is no fate, that everything is ordered by the Lord, as surely this union was.
They are very well suited for each other, and the pace of their life seems to befit them well. They are comfortable together, they make each other smile and they are happy. That pretty much sums it up, right? Isn't that what we all want for our kids? Isn't that a great foundation for a lifetime of blessedness and contentment?
Sure, there will be ups and down, but that's life, isn't it? You can't live with someone for any length of time, and not have them get on your nerves. I don't care who you are. Biff and Jessi enjoy each other's company. They are best friends, and that will take them a long, long way. I know that because I've been married to my best friend for over 33 years now. Looks will eventually fade and sex will wane as the years go by, but if you have that foundation of friendship added to your love, you will always want to be there for each other in good times and bad.
It is a real comfort for me to know that these kids truly love each other and are dedicated to a lifetime together. Life can be so tough and it sure isn't fair. A person can get thrown around like a rag doll at certain times, we all know that.
But, if you have someone who really loves you for who you are on the inside, and can be there through everything that happens on this crazy journey we call life, then you've really found someone to hang onto with all you've got. I believe these two have found that and my prayer is that they will always remember those sweet vows they took on Saturday and remember the love they felt on that very special day.
May they hang on tight to each other and Almighty God through the many joys and sorrows of life. Rejoice in the Lord in the good times and in the bad. That's what He wants, and that's what He expects. He will be your joy and your hope as you go through this life journey together, if you let Him. You are both blessed children of God, as we all are-- never forget that.
It was a wonderful event, filled with lots of great memories, laughter, dancing and fun. They were blessed to have many of the people in their lives to help them make the day special. There was lots of family, especially on Jessi's side, and many friends from near and far. It was a perfectly perfect event!
there is finally another girl in my family! YEAH! (sorry Molly, doggies are different)
Jessi, welcome to the family, or Team Watts as you called us on Saturday. The Watts men are fiercely loyal, devoted and protective of their "gals." You won't be disappointed. So glad you're now officially part of the club. Welcome aboard~
My verse for today is about being thankful and rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
" Be joyful always, pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
My prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father:
Thank you so much for these two young people. Please bless them as they start their new life together as man and wife. Help them to turn to you, rejoicing and praying in good times and bad. Watch over them and protect them each day. Guide their steps as they start this journey together.
I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, my Savior,
Amen.
