It was a nice wedding with some touching moments but one that didn't get away with no hitches.  In fact there were a few glitches but nothing earth shattering although  one event came close to ruining the honeymoon.

Some of the more poignant moments would have to include Ethan as the ring bearer.  He came close to stealing the show when he came down the aisle in his 2T Tux holding his daddy's hand. 

We held our breath knowing what this 19 month old was capable of.  Would he run in the opposite direction back out the door?  Would he shrug off the hand he was now clinging to?  Would he zoom down the middle of the church out of control?  With the huge bows attached to each pew all the way down we wondered how much of a distraction will this be?  There were just so many possiblilities so we waited. 

He did fine.  He did more than fine. 

So he comes down, straight as an arrow, looking dead ahead walking with dad who was holding the ring pillow since there was no way we could trust Ethan with such a momentous job.  Just before they reached the altar, Ethan does a little jig. He danced right there to the tune of the violins playing in the balcony right there on the rolled out carpet before being handed to his mother who awaited him with crayons and sketch pad.  That was cute. It tuned out, reported by his mother, that this was a three lollipop ceremony for Ethan.  Not a peep was heard from him.  No wonder, he was quite busy with those lollipops and crayons.  God's gifts to moms. 

Then after the ceremony Brian had been instructed to grab his little boy and head out behind the bride and groom.  Ethan was looking over his Dad's shoulder and doing the "queen wave" all the way down.  We didn't know but Brian was whispering "say goodbye Buddy."  Well he did so with a royal smile and a wave. 

David and Aly made a beautiful couple as many commented on throughout the day.  There were comparisons to Barbie and Ken with some Barbie song played at the reception.  

At the reception another moment called for tears instead of smiles.  David and Aly stood up and explained to the guests how they had kept themselves pure for their wedding and how David had purchased purity rings for Aly's 19th birthday.    Aly said this was important to do in a culture who does not hold up marriage like it once did.  They wished to show others that they can be chaste and wait and not give in to the pressures of the world.  They then annouced they would be giving their well worn rings to their perspective fathers-in-law.  So David left the head table and headed for his new father-in-law's table and Aly did the same as she made her way to our table. 

I turned and saw tears all around.  I saw grown men crying.  What a wonderful gift they were able to give each other on their wedding night.  What a good example and God honoring moment that was.  I was proud of both of them. 

Soon after this happy night turned into one of very anxious moments.  Aly couldn't find her pocketbook and in this purse was her whole life.  She had her passport, her SS card, her license and cell phone. 

They were supposed to go to Mexico very early the next morning and she needed that passport.  Without it she couldn't leave.  So a hunt began that would take pretty much all of the reception time after the meal.  Her mom and Dad and others headed out in hopes of finding this purse.  They checked with the limo driver after hunting her down.  They tried to trace Aly's steps looking everywhere.  All this was going on while the reception continued.  The DJ would announce updates from time to time but it wasn't looking good. 

When we left, David was pretty sure they wouldn't be going to their long awaited and paid for trip to Mexico.  He seemed pretty calm but I knew how much he put into the planning of this months ago.  He handed us a handwritten note he had prepared earlier that day.  The note is precious and one of a grateful and loving  son to his parents.  It was a "we did something right" moment that all parents wait for. 

Finally long after we left the wedding to go back to our hotel we got a call. They found the purse. The Honeymoon was on after all.  She had left it in the now darkened and locked up church.  Someone had to do some work to find the caretaker who was the only one who was able to open up this church.   

Congratulations to David and Alyson.  May God continue to bless you beyond measure as you seek to follow him and His ways.