Weddingbee Blog

I stood facing my handsome groom with tears in my eyes and a quiver in my lip.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

FIL-Husky, also our officiant, welcomed everyone and began by introducing my stepfather to come up and say a few words. I’ve written before about his struggles with Shingles, and we were both so happy he was able to stand and speak to us.

It’s very, very difficult to capture one’s heart, to express the emotions, the pain the hope that resides there. I know I speak for Daddy Husky and Mama Husky when I share these thoughts and in fact, I believe I probably speak for most parents who have stood or will stand where I stand today.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Miss Husky, your father, your mother and I are your biggest fans…

They watched you from behind the nursery glass at the hospital…

They watched you as you took your first step…spoke your first word

We watched from bleachers at softball, basketball and soccer games…

We watched from behind closed bedroom doors listing to your sobs when life was unfair.

We watched from a distance you as you accepted your many awards… We were the ones making all that noise!

We watched you from bended knee as we poured out our hearts to God on you behalf for His blessings

We watched from our home’s sidewalk as you drove away to Portland to mark your independence.

We watched through tears of joy and pain as we watched you struggle, explore

and grow into you the beautiful woman that you have become

And now…we watch from these seats, as you embark on this new adventure called Marriage.

And again…our vision is clouded as we watch through tears.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

And sooo… Here we are…again Cheering you on…on this, your day—your wedding day!—as you embark on this new adventure with Mr. Husky…the man of your dreams.

As I consider this moment, this man, I must say, “You have chosen well.”

Over the last several years, I have watched this guy with the funny sideburns…with much scrutiny…and observed this man “Mr. Husky” that you have chosen. At first, I was skeptical…our first experience with him was a walk in the park visiting a Hemp festival, or more correctly stated…a marijuana party in the park! He quickly explained that it was a terrible mistake…but I wondered for a long time. [The first time Mr. Husky met my parents, he noticed a festival on the waterfront, and suggested we check it out---little did he know, it was Hemp-stalk: a festival in support of the legalization of pot.]

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Since that time, I have seen Mr. Husky walk with you, I have seen him share with you, I have seen him care for you, I have seen him give to you, I have seen him cook for you…I have seen him be gentle and kind with you…and most recently…I have seen Mr. Husky run a marathon with you.

Miss Husky, you have chosen well…I learned to like Mr. Husky for your sake, I learned to love Mr. Husky because you loved him, I now I am proud to call him son.

Mr. Husky is a good man. He will be a good husband.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Being one of your greatest fans…I am now going to shout from the stands… please hear these words!

Miss Husky, Mr. Husky…God has said that marriage is “two becoming one”…His words are…“Become One Flesh.” That means that marriage is about the “Both” not the “One”…each always considering the other…FIRST.

Marriage is not about changing the other…but changing ourselves for the gain of the other.

Miss Husky, Mr. Husky…I have watched you…together…you are better together than you are apart. You each make the other more when you are together than when you are separate! You complete each other.

I believe that this is what God meant when He stated that we are to become “One Flesh.” Marriage is “two” becoming “one’…displayed by “Self Sacrifice for the other”…becoming ”One Flesh.”

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Miss Husky and Mr. Husky…today you are crossing a new threshold, a milestone unlike none you have ever crossed. A milestone that will change you forever…

After today…you will no longer be Miss Husky… no longer be Mr. Husky…you will formally be “Mr. & Mrs. Husky.” Never to be separate again!

So today I am resigning my position in the Miss Husky Fan club…and am taking up a new position…A Life Member of the “Mr. & Mrs. Husky” Fan club. And with that position, Mama Husky and I would like to make the following promise…

(Mark Hayes Photography)

We promise to always be your greatest fans. We promise to live our lives in such a way as to example a marriage that honors God…to encourage you, to exhort you and to remind you that God has a plan for your marriage. We promise to pray for you, that we will be available to you when the winds of life turn cold and blow against you.

And that we will always LOVE you…

And that we will be your greatest fans

By the time he finished, there wasn’t a single dry eye in the house.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

He hugged us both, and went to rest his eyes beneath the shade of a nearby tree.

(guest photo)

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Coming up: the ceremony!

*All photos by the wonderful Mark Hayes Photography, unless otherwise noted.

Previous episodes:

• I walked the plank.
• Almost time!
• The ladies beautified.
• We rehearsed.
• We unloaded and assembled.
• Someone unplugged the fridge.
• The music played.
• We honeymooned.