Yes, I know now, without a doubt, that giving me a microphone at any point over the last three days would have been a REALLY BIG mistake. Good call on that one. For the moment, my tears (of joy!) have subsided, so I am going to say here, what I would not have been able to blubber through on an official toast.
First, to my dearest Lauren. You are right. It's difficult to define our relationship. You are some combination of daughter/sister/friend/Auntie to my children/Godmother to Halle/sister and mentor to Dylan/wise adviser and so much more. Out of all of that attempt to define what and who you are to me? Know this:
You are one of the most amazing people that I know. You are incredibly talented. You have more determination and a harder work-ethic than anyone I know. You are beyond beautiful. You have this amazing gift of being able to focus on the most minute details, all while having the grand overall vision. You are so very kind. You are such a giver - and a fantastic giver at that! You spend so much time picking out the perfect gift for every person in your life (and then wrap it up so well)! You are, simply put, one of the nearest and dearest people to my heart.
I have watched you grow from your teen years and listened to your struggles and rejoiced in your many successes. I have seen you blossom into this amazing woman that you are today. I am blessed beyond measure by the time that you and I have had. And for what you have given to my children? Your love, your care, your attention and relationship? For that I can never thank you enough.
As for you, Prince Bobby . . . after you read all that Lauren means to me? Know that you and you alone are good enough for her. I wasn't sure at first, but you began a slow and steady work on my heart. Steadily you chipped away at my insistence that NO ONE would be good enough for my Lauren. You won over my children first. (And Dylan was really watching you, FYI!) Then I watched Lauren just bubble over with her love for you. She grew steadier in herself. She grew assured. And I watched. And listened. And finally, just knew.
Thank you, Bobby, for not only sharing Lauren with our family, but also for sharing yourself with our family. Your willingness to just spend time with us, to hang at our house, to hang with my children and to just be you when you are with us? It let us know that you were the real deal. You are a very genuine young man. You match Lauren in her determination and work-ethic. You match her in your kindness and giving nature. You are steady. You are exactly who she needed. Plus your love for Apple products and Disneyland cannot be argued with.
Now to the both of you, thank you. Thank you for sharing your most amazing wedding journey with us. Thank you for blessing us with the amazing gift of our night at the Hotel DIamond. How you could be so kind and outwardly focused and give to us on YOUR big day? SPeaks volumes about who you both are.
Now that your perfect wedding is over, I am praying that you have a relaxing, yet adventurous time on your honeymoon. Enjoy it all. Revel in it. Tuck away moments of peace and connection. Fill up your memory bank of those most special moments, both of your beautiful wedding celebration and your amazing honeymoon. Those will help sustain you when you return to real life and have a moment or two that are not as idyllic. Continue to lean and grow in your faith. The next couple of years will be a time of growth like you have never known. Throw yourselves in, 150% (like you do in every other aspect of your lives) and then throw in about 200% grace. For each other. Remember that no one wins an argument because you are both on the same team. Grace is the word of the day. Every day. Lean on God. Lean on each other. Build a small community of others that you can lean on when leaning on God and each other needs a little support.
I love you both beyond measure. Our family loves you both beyond measure! We will pray for you every single day and we will be here whenever you need us. Or even if you just need a diet Coke, some Almond Joys and other various forms of candy sustenance.
Enjoy your time in Paradise. Have Eggs Benedict with blackened Ahi for John and have the Ahi fillet for me at the Blue Dolphin. Since I was the dummy who ordered chicken last time we were there.
Love and blessings to you both!
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Posted by: muska supra | November 24, 2011 at 12:33 AM