Thursday, January 15, 2009

A Wedding Story and A Baby Story

Take a minute with me while I remember two very important events we're celebrating this week. I won't share every detail of those days, but instead just a few meaningful moments.

A Wedding Story

Moment 1:
"Her mother and I do," my dad said to the pastor, as Dad officially "gave me away." Then Pastor Brian sat down and my dad, Pastor Sam, stood in front of the church to perform the rest of the wedding. "I used to walk in the fields behind our neighborhood, praying for Beth's future husband," Dad told us. "And [looking at The Engineer] I was praying for you." I wasn't the only one with tear-filled eyes and a joyful smile.

Moment 2:
He took his guitar and stood before a microphone. I picked up a mic too. And we began to sing. Throughout the wedding up to that point I'd been nervous, happy, and weepy, all at once. But when we sang to each other, most of my nerves fled, and the wedding became even more distinctly ours. I looked at The Engineer, playing the music he'd composed, as we sang the words that I had written, and I believed we'd be making music together "'til death do us part."

Thank you for nine beautiful years, my Engineer!

Then & Now:

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A Baby Story:
I had shown up for my scheduled induction, progressed nicely, gotten an epidural, and pushed out my first baby, after less than five hours of labor. Everything had gone smoothly and according to plan.

What I didn't expect was my reaction when my just-born baby girl was handed to me, warm and slippery and perfect. I was filled with an intense joy I'd never felt in what was unquestionably the most awe-filled, wonderful moment of my life up to that point.

In that instant I was stunned to learn that birth is more than a means to an end. Giving birth is a pivotal, defining moment for a woman, a truly miraculous experience that leaves the mother forever changed. This truth altered my whole attitude about birth, leading to an entirely different labor experience with my second--but that's a story for another day.

Happy third birthday, my beautiful Chickie!

Then & Now:

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24 comments:

Lyndsay said...

What gorgeous photos! I love the sharing of thse "moments", sometimes they tell the story so much better than a narrative of the entire day could!

Scriptor Senex said...

What a lovely comment from your Dad. It says so much about all of you and your family.
Many more happy years to you both / all.

beckiwithani said...

I remember both days vividly! You had a black-and-white wedding, and when I walked down the aisle (maid of honor - right before you), several of the guests who did not know me wondered why the bride was wearing black. Ha!

And I found out about Ana's birth in the middle of Costco. She'd just been born, and Mom called to tell me. I heard a newborn cry in the background, and started bawling trash bags section. My eyes are misting over just typing this!

beckiwithani said...

Ugh, I hate typos.

I was bawling IN THE trash bags section...

Laurel said...

Beautiful post Beth!! Congratulations! By the way, I forgot to say Happy Anniversary yesterday on the phone. But, it's actually today, so Happy Anniversary!!!! The pictures above, you both look amazing on your wedding day but look at you now, a glow of love even more radiant today :-).

Cathy said...

ok - you started my day off by getting me to cry! But thanks for the memories - very sweet ones, too! -Mom

Bri said...

Happy Birthday Chickie & Happy Anniversary Beth!!!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Beth, what you said about Chickie's birth was just so beautiful, and for me so true too! So well written - Congratulations and best wishes for those two celebrations!

Crazy Mo said...

Those are beautiful stories. I love that your dad officiated. That must have been so moving.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday, Chickie!

Momza said...

Awwww, Beth, I will go down memory lane with you any ol day. It's a great trip!
COngratulations!

Call Me Cate said...

Such beautiful moments. And photos! I feel warm and fuzzy now. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

You have such an amzing way with words. Reading your entry today brought tears to my eyes and put a smile in my heart. God bless you and the wonderful family that He has created for you!

Unknown said...

I could say something funny about trash bags (see beckiwithani's comment) or profound. Instead I'm just crying. Thanks for telling your story in such a beautiful way.

Dad

Anonymous said...

Holy new blog design! Thats what i get for using a feedreader. I love it.

And happy anniversary and happy birthday to A from all of us.

Eternal Lizdom said...

Happy Anniversary- and what lovely moments!! And wonderful birth memories, too. Joy, joy, joy!

forever folding laundry said...

Your dad's words left me teary. So sweet! Happy Anniversary!

*Monica said...

I love reading your posts. This was beautiful. And I love love love wedding pictures!

Dan & Hillary said...

Sincere and warm congrats to you and DH!! We have so much to celebrate in our lives. God is a God of many blessings... Russell sends Chickie a b-day 'hi-five'. (He doesn't do hugs;-)

Our Scoop said...

Happy Anniversary! Happy Bday Chickie! Well said B! I remember your song well (chord of 3 strands!) it was neat and still runs through my head sometimes! I only heard it once but it was good!

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Awww, you made my day reading these stories. How wonderful and heartwarming. I wish you two 10x9 more beautiful years together. And your beautiful Chickie many more wonderful birthdays.
Blessings,
Tammy

Tami said...

Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your wedding day.

I don't think I could ever describe my feelings when I saw Austin for the first time (and within a week called my Mom to tell her I was soooooo sorry for everything I'd ever done)!

C. Beth said...

THANK YOU, everyone! No personals tonight, but wanted to give my sincere thanks for all the wonderful comments. :)

Becky said...

Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing those memories!

Sandra said...

Great post!

First of all, I do have to say I read "crying the trash bag section" several times in Becki's post trying to invision it! Thanks for the laugh, Becki.

I love what your dad said in the service -- that he had been praying for Engineer even before he knew him.

And, I am soooo impressed that you and the Engineer WROTE and then actually SANG a song at your wedding. Jeepers creepers -- creativity and nerves of steel all rolled up together! You are definitely a wonderful match. May you write many more verses to the life song you are living. (Hmmm. That sounds a tad new age, but you know what I mean.) :)