DREAM WEDDING.............CHECK!

I recently made a post on my Facebook page that I was a very grateful person.  I actually try to live my life in that frame of mind.  God is good.  He is good all the time.  Even though our present circumstances may not be pleasant, we have to realize that He is with us and He's working things out for our good.  We just have to trust, remain faithful and be patient, knowing that He's in control for our ultimate good. 

Getting ready for my daughter's wedding was a bit stressful for me.  Mark and I had a spur of the moment type of ceremony in the Florida Keys.  We simply piggybacked our wedding plans onto our annual Springbreak camping trip with close friends.  No fuss, no stress.  It worked and we've been married for 35 years.  However, my daughter, Christina is not me and she likes to share her joy and happiness with her friends, family and loved ones.  So, I wasn't surprised when she announced that her dream wedding would be on the island of Vinalhaven, Maine.  After all, we've been dragging our children to this almost surreal place, tucked safely from the rest of the world in the Penobscott Bay for the past thirty years.  So, last November, it was decided, we would be having her dream ceremony during our annual trip to Maine.

Wedding planning is not my forte, so I immediately called my dear friend, Jerri.  She had always said she'd love to help me with Christina's wedding when the time came, so I knew I could count on her.  She also planned to eventually return to Vinalhaven after visiting there with us on a trip many years ago.  I also thought of another dear friend, Jim, who had at a family gathering last year, mentioned that he was becoming the island photographer, taking pictures at local functions on the island.  He and his wife owned the darling cottage where Mom and Dad Libby had stayed for many years.  They are part of our family.  So, with the help of our two special loving friends, a bride and groom willing to roll with the punches, and wonderful family members and friends ready to step out of their comfort zones, Mark and I felt like this was something that we could set into motion.  To make a long story short, Christina and Joe were married on the small nature preserve of Lane's Island, which adjoins Vinalhaven by a small bridge, on August 1, 2013.  It was wonderful!

So, we are home now and I will share some more details of our trip and the wedding in the weeks to come.  Right now, I just want to share my deep feelings of gratitude to God and all those who helped make Christina and Joe's dream wedding a reality.  I'm not saying everything was perfect.  We were unable to have all our family make the trip, it's not an easy trek to make, after all.  But, we did have the blessings of our families in this decision for an island wedding and we want to share all the wonderful memories and pictures that we have with them all.

I still have so much to do since arriving back in Kentucky, so I'll close for now.  I hope you are having an awesome August as well.  Take care and stay safe.  luv, Susan