A beautiful week for a wedding!

Once upon a time.....

     In the land of Woodbridge, CA, a brilliant and talented young convert named Michelle came into my parents' lives and changed the world in an instant: her love, enthusiasm, and overall wonderful self, bewitching all who came upon her in her natural, serving, inspiring way.  As she adopted my parents and my parents a second daughter of sorts, an opportunity arose.  My father, being a Rotary President at the time and much involved in international humanitarian missions, did his best that Michelle could have the wonderful opportunity of going to India as an ambassador of good will, service, and generally amazing person-hood.  And those in charge of making arrangements agreed with my father about how perfect an asset she would be, for all the aforementioned reasons plus a list of incredible qualifications to boot.  So dear Michelle flew to India and was of great service to the world, some of those adventures featured here.

    Hopefully you clicked the link just featured, because in the photos there is a suspiciously good-hearted, good looking, VERY tall, red head who seems to increasingly come into view...  This is Scott.  He was the next to be swept off his feet by Michelle's amazingness, only to be concreted in this opinion when he took ill with pnemonia and of course she helped nurse him back to health.  Talk about fairytale checklists!  Pure-hearted, beautiful maiden: check.  Handsome, valiant prince: check.  Exotic location: check.  And so forth.  And can you believe it?  Michelle, being very much strongly a part of her new found faith, started sharing the gospel and Book of Mormon with Scott.  This led to nightly scripture study and prayers.  Really, it just got better and better; the romance rather epic.  Scott investigated the church further and was baptized and later ordained a priest.  Without further ado, one year out from his baptism...

 

This Tuesday, they went through the temple together for the first time! We were very honored to be present for this momentous occasion at the temple in Fresno, CA.  The blessings given are so very precious.  The absolute wonderment and happiness on their faces afterward was such a thing to behold -- I know it made me smile greatly.

Thursday morning, we got up very early for Scott and Michelle's wedding.  Mom was to be Michelle's escort and assist in anything Michelle might need.  I think this was a very special gift, as usually this is a mother-daughter bonding time.  Judging by the looks of things, I assume Michelle had very similar loving and informative moments with Mom, just as I did three years, four months, and two days ago.  The sealer gave great and simple insights that were perfect for Scott and Michelle.  They seemed like true sponges in absorbing every word, their eyes lighting up more and more as they came to understand better the concept of truly being married and having a family for all time and eternity, never to be broken by death.  It was so, so good to be there at their sealing, to watch as they exchanged vows.  Brant and I held hands throughout the ordinance, remembering our own.  The tears of joy in their eyes later as we congratulated them will be something I will treasure for a long, long time.  I believe they really do know, and will even better know through the years to come, what a truly celestial marriage is.

Scott designed Michelle's ring, the diamond being an heirloom of his family.  Michelle made sure that his band would be as close as possible to be a matching set.

These were the weapons of choice for Michelle....

Scott and Michelle really are such a beautiful couple in both appearance and heart.  In others words, they are just a perfect fit!  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abstain from any form of alcohol.  But in celebration of their wedding, Brant and I had two mini fake champagne bottles with which we blew bubbles at the couple -- safer and literally cleaner than throwing rice!

As the bride and groom took all their official photography, Brant and I had a lovely little moment of silliness.  We waltzed as we waited.  I believe in random acts of mush, and thankfully, so does Brant.  Some of our fun is featured below:

It didn't fully occur to me until just prior to dancing that I was wearing the suit and jewelery I wore to my own endowment and wedding ceremonies.  It was another nice reminder of our own day at the altar.  Weddings are just wonderful reminders in general of the promises and hopes two made, and to see how those blessings are fulfilled.

Today was the final part of our week-long celebration of Scott and Michelle: the India-themed reception.  A ring ceremony, conducted by Bishop Shields of the Lodi III Ward on behalf of family and friends unable to attend the temple, was both intellectual and spiritual, weaving well together so all could understand the prior events of the week.  It was very well done, with Michelle and Scott sharing important words said by their sealer, such as the nature of their family now and in times to come as well as reflecting on the family and friends who brought them where they are today. 

With the bridal party and many of the guests adorned in traditional Indian array, or had Indian patterns in ties and skirts, it was a very festive affair.  Large blooms floating in bowls and peacock feathers were the main motifs.  Two types of pleasant, mild curry -- judging by taste, likely Shahi Paneer and Chicken Tikka Masala, basmanti rice, Modak (a delicious steamed dumping dessert), and Naan (yummy flat bead), were served for the reception.  Michelle, multi-talented wonder-woman that she is, made her own wedding cake (a lovely and light white and raspberry fondant), which finished the palate very nicely.  Soon they will be off on their honeymoon to Hawaii.  May they enjoy many, many adventures together in the shared life to come!

All and all, this week was a fabulous affair in many ways, exotically simple or simply exotic, however you will.  It was a delightful series of events.  Scott and Michelle are even more delightful and are clearly one of heart and well united.  It is such an honor to come to know them and watch them go on, ever expanding in capacity.  It was interesting for me to compare their wedding to that of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose marriage was certainly beautiful and grand.  Despite the stately perfection of it all, and the pride I could feel from my more immediate English descent, I was amazed to understand that somehow it still fell short of the humble gathering I was witness to Thursday morning.  Scott and Michelle really were regal in ways I will save up for myself to ponder.  Those who have also been through the temple will understand why. In short, there is no earth-based trapping that can ever be greater than the authority given in such a holy place in such a simple, sacred way as the sealing power of marrying a pure man and woman for all time and eternity.  There are important insights that can never be written, and observing this wedding has brought many such things to my heart.  Although truth be told, I have known them for such a relatively short time, it has been awe-inducing how easy it has been to love Scott and Michelle together and individually as beloved family.  Their lives are such gifts, just standing there in front of you.  They simply inspire me.  If you hadn't caught the drift already!  But what a perfect week for the wedding of a perfect couple!