On a gorgeous Saturday in the Hill Country of Texas, I had the wonderful honor of singing for our friends’ wedding. It was an intimate ceremony....maybe 15-20 people. A blending of families was about to take place and everyone present knew this was a big deal. Between the couple, they have 8 children. Four grown and on their own, two teenagers and two little ones. So while the attention is typically on the marital couple, today, it was equally shared with the kids. The youngest of the children is 2 1/2. He was the star of the day...in his little suit, blond hair and freshness. The ceremony took place at the beautiful Dulcinea Chapel, with a view that goes on for miles. A special addition to the chapel is a big wedding bell that one can ring to celebrate the union of the betrothed. The 2 1/2 year old was lead to the door that opened to the huge rope that was attached to the bell. Oh yes, he loved the bell. He loved the bell...A Lot...before the ceremony and after.
Minutes before the wedding, I noticed that the sweet, eloquent 5 year old sibling was huddled up in a niche all by herself. A few moments before, she was charming the congregation with her cuteness. I asked her if she too wanted to ring the bell...but she did not say anything back. She looked quite sad, so naturally I thought it was because the youngest was getting to do things that she wasn’t. The family was then called to gather for the ceremony to begin.
The minister’s message was casual and light, focusing mainly on the promise to uphold this big, beautiful, blended family. Our friend Marc played guitar, while I tried my best to sing the requested wedding song...all in Spanish. It was really challenging, but fun to learn for this Irish, Polish & German girl from Wisconsin.
It was rewarding to see the smiles of the bride and groom, when I would daringly look up from my notes... all phonetically written out.
The exchanging of rings, the monumental I Do’s and the wedding kiss was over. The big bell was rung and the congregation was awaiting hugs from the couple. I happened to be standing near the bride when the 5 year old, who was crying came up to her. The bride (her mama) asked why she was crying. She said, “I just don’t want things to change”.
I.Just.Don’t.Want.Things.To.Change.
Oh my Lord. I just thought she wanted to ring the big bell...but this child was wise and sensitive and deep. She was forecasting what was to come, while we were all caught up in the fairy dust of the moment. Her mama assured her that nothing was going to change. They still would live in their home, but it will be beautifully different.
I turned around to see if I was the only one witnessing this holy moment, and noticed one of the young uncles, wiping his eyes. I said, “You heard that, right?”. He said, “Yes”...through his tears. We just kind of stood by each other and shook our heads.
Everything Changes. Everything.
Unexpected lessons learned from a 5 year old on this beautiful spring wedding day in the Hill Country? Life is gloriously messy, brilliant, mysterious and yes, ever, ever changing.
Minutes before the wedding, I noticed that the sweet, eloquent 5 year old sibling was huddled up in a niche all by herself. A few moments before, she was charming the congregation with her cuteness. I asked her if she too wanted to ring the bell...but she did not say anything back. She looked quite sad, so naturally I thought it was because the youngest was getting to do things that she wasn’t. The family was then called to gather for the ceremony to begin.
The minister’s message was casual and light, focusing mainly on the promise to uphold this big, beautiful, blended family. Our friend Marc played guitar, while I tried my best to sing the requested wedding song...all in Spanish. It was really challenging, but fun to learn for this Irish, Polish & German girl from Wisconsin.
It was rewarding to see the smiles of the bride and groom, when I would daringly look up from my notes... all phonetically written out.
The exchanging of rings, the monumental I Do’s and the wedding kiss was over. The big bell was rung and the congregation was awaiting hugs from the couple. I happened to be standing near the bride when the 5 year old, who was crying came up to her. The bride (her mama) asked why she was crying. She said, “I just don’t want things to change”.
I.Just.Don’t.Want.Things.To.Change.
Oh my Lord. I just thought she wanted to ring the big bell...but this child was wise and sensitive and deep. She was forecasting what was to come, while we were all caught up in the fairy dust of the moment. Her mama assured her that nothing was going to change. They still would live in their home, but it will be beautifully different.
I turned around to see if I was the only one witnessing this holy moment, and noticed one of the young uncles, wiping his eyes. I said, “You heard that, right?”. He said, “Yes”...through his tears. We just kind of stood by each other and shook our heads.
Everything Changes. Everything.
Unexpected lessons learned from a 5 year old on this beautiful spring wedding day in the Hill Country? Life is gloriously messy, brilliant, mysterious and yes, ever, ever changing.
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