by Sue Detweiler
How To Be the “Mother of the Bride” Twice in 6 Weeks…
This morning my mom who is 77-years-old ran through the house shouting “Wedding Bells are Ringing! Wedding Bells are Ringing!” We all laughed and gathered around the see the table setting that Rachel has prepared for her wedding reception that will take place in 3 days. We all laughed as grammy looked at Angela and sang out, “It’s not just 1 wedding- it’s 2!”
I had to catch my breath and smile as our home is being filled with wedding plates, napkins, and candles. As the mother of the bride I am feeling the sweetness of my daughters each choosing a wonderful groom and the awe that my daughters are moving into the next season of their lives.
My favorite solo to sing when I was a teenager was “Sunrise, Sunset” from the Fiddler on the Roof. I memorized these words:
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don’t remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn’t it yesterday
When they were small?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
As the mother of the bride, not only are these 2 beauties moving into the next season of their lives, so am I. So how do I survive the changing of this season which is “laden with happiness and tears”? Here are a few notes I have made to myself.
1. Celebrate Each Moment
Yesterday as Rachel and I drove to David’s Bridal to pick up her dress, we shared the sweetest moment. She talked about her trust in God to lead her and Dustin in the days ahead. Then as she put the dress on, she had me close my eyes so that I could see her walk out. Of course, my eyes fill with tears as I saw the glow on her happy face. The moment is captured in the special snap-shot-in-my-mind.
2. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
This morning Rachel’s wedding coordinator called and said that because of a family emergency, she will not be able to be at the wedding. Now, this may not seem like the “small stuff” but in the over-all-scheme of what is happening, this is small. The awesome and mysterious reality is that God will be performing a miracle this weekend as Dustin and Rachel become husband and wife – the miracle of being ONE.
3. Embrace the New Season
Having 2 weddings in six weeks has just multiplied the joy. Rachel and Angela although close in age are so different in their approach to life and their choice of weddings. Part of the joy is releasing each daughter to be who she is called to be. Enjoying the uniqueness of her choices. Trusting God to lead each one into their unique destinies.
Moments from today, my daughters will take the arms of their husbands and drive away into their next season. The sunset of this moment, will be the sunrise of the next day.
As I walk into this next season, I don’t walk alone. Not only do I walk arm-in-arm with my husband of 30 years, I walk side-by-side with my lover, and bridegroom Jesus and surrounded by the beautiful bride-of-Christ. He is a lover that never disappoints. He is the ONE that we trust. In each new season He awakens me with the fresh joy and delight of the dawn of a new day.
Sue Detweiler
Are there other mom’s out there who have walked through this? Can you relate?