Recently we had the privilege of attending the wedding of my oldest niece, Amanda.
I'm sure it would have been a privilege at any time, but this was an especially rare opportunity because of Covid restrictions, which limit the number of people able to attend any event. Up until a week before the wedding, we thought we would just be watching through a Facebook livestream. I was planning to pick up my mom after the ceremony, and we were going to see Amanda and her new husband, Ethan, at a drive-by reception later that evening ... but then we found out Jason and I would be able to go!
One of my kids asked me if I thought I would cry, and I said no--I don't usually display a lot of outward emotion, especially in public. But a few minutes before the wedding started, Tina showed me a picture of Amanda all ready to go, and I teared up. The tears continued to flow as I saw her sisters and brother walk down the aisle, followed by Amanda and her dad.
I got to spend quite a bit of time with Amanda when she was little--I'd come back to Canada just before her younger sister Becca was born, and I got to babysit or come over and play with my nieces most days. I didn't have any kids of my own yet, and they were such a wonderful part of my life.
Amanda was even at my wedding, acting as head flower girl to her cousin Jordan and sister Becca.
When my own kids were born, they all looked up to Amanda, Jordan and Becca.
We called them "the big girls," and they were always so much fun to be around.
So, as the wedding started, all sorts of memories and emotions came flooding back. It has been amazing to see Amanda growing up and accomplishing so much, but to be there watching her dreams coming true and seeing her so happy really touched my heart.
I couldn't have imagined a more ideal setting, either: a secluded forest with birds singing and the sun shining through the leaves, with everyone looking so beautiful and full of love.
As I said, it was a wonderful privilege to be there, as it has been to be Amanda’s aunt.
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