Is this the little girl I carried?
Last night I danced with my little girl to the song “Sunrise Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. A perfect choice because of what the song means, and what it means to us.
I think the last time Emily and I danced together, she was probably standing on my shoes with her tiny feet. She was our first child, and our only girl. I spent most of the day either crying, or on the verge of tears as I reminisced about her life, and looked to her future. Good tears.
When did she get to be a beauty?
Emily looked like a princess. More importantly she radiated a happiness I had never seen in her before – probably because she was experiencing a degree of joy she had never experienced before. The entire day was beautiful, the Payson Temple, the luncheon, and the reception.
We saw old friends and met new ones. People came from all over the country to show their love to David and Emily. It was remarkable the bond that they have with so many people. Chrissie and I also felt so much love as people can to support us and our family.
They look so natural together, just like two newlyweds should be.
This was our third child to get married. (All since I began blogging, so you probably all know more than you want to.) It amazes and gladdens me that each of the three have been able to find a partner that is so perfect for them. In each case, their unions are stronger than the sum of the individuals.
Two quick MMM-type thoughts:
Finding that person to spend eternity with is not a task for the faint hearted. Emily is 29, and I know that at times she was getting a bit nervous. But to her credit, she spent those “alone” years achieving great accomplishments; building her career; amassing an army of loyal friends; serving others; attending the temple, and exploring the planet. She did not sit idly by and pine for “her prince to come.” She spent her time faithfully becoming an increasingly better version of herself.
If we are patient, and worthy, the Lord will set things in motion as He sees fit. Far too often we let our opinions or our impatience lead us to make hasty choices, or choose lesser options than what God would have blessed us with – had we just held on a little longer and given Him the chance.
Of all the beautiful things that happened yesterday, noting comes close to a few brief minutes in the sealing room in the temple. As the bride and groom covenanted with each other, and with God, a new family was created – a new family that has the potential to be an eternal family.
“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.” (link)
I know this to be true, and it is emblazoned on my heart every time one of my loved ones enters into the sacred covenants that make it possible.
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*sniff* What a lovely post.
“But to her credit, she spent those “alone” years achieving great accomplishments; building her career; amassing an army of loyal friends; serving others; attending the temple, and exploring the planet. She did not sit idly by and pine for “her prince to come.” She spent her time faithfully becoming an increasingly better version of herself.”
I <3 this so much. She spent her time preparing herself to be so much more of what she can be now–wife and mother (someday).
What a precious daughter and a precious day! It’s all a reminder that God always has the more elegant solution.
Aww she is a beauty! Congratulations to your family.
Lovely!
Mazel Tov!
You are blessed indeed. Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing those tender feelings.
Lovely! For me, there are two phrases in here that have especially sweet meaning — “She spent her time faithfully becoming a better version of herself,” and “As someone who gets to spend each day living a love story…”
As a woman who was (and continues to be) faithful to the covenants I made in a sealing room many years ago, but who has been divorced for many years, the first is a fresh reminder to me of the appropriate focus of my time while I look forward to the promised fulfillment of covenants I made and hold dear. And the second is a sweet foreshadowing of the promise the Lord has whispered to me through the Spirit of a relationship that will be more delightful than I can imagine.
As an ordinance worker, I agree with your assertion that if the world truly understood the power contained in the ordinances of the temple, the temples would be functioning 24/7, with many anxiously awaiting their turn. Sadly, even within the Church, even among many who have been endowed, that deep understanding is lacking. But I get to serve many faithful Saints who attend the Atlanta temple frequently and consistently on Friday nights, serving the Lord by serving the living and the dead in this great work, indeed the Father’s and the Savior’s work, to bring to pass the immortality and ETERNAL life of man. I am so deeply grateful for the sacred covenants available there, which covenants I have entered into and live to be true to. And, I am so deeply grateful for the privilege of assisting my Father, my Savior, and my friend, the Holy Ghost, in this work.
Love it !
What a sweet tribute to your daughter…
Congratulations to the whole family, but especially Emily.