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| Autumn's "Giving Tree" wedding cake |
Autumn was adamant. "I want to get married on St. Patrick's Day." As far as I know, Irish genes don't run through our family, and to top it off, the holiday was inconveniently falling on a Tuesday. But she loves the day and it was her dream, her choice. Most of us, her immediate family, were living in New York. We'd not only have to get all of us to Alabama, there was the matter of finding a place to stay once we got there. As it turned out, the timing could not have been more perfect, our renters having just moved out and on to another state. Our house was sitting empty and we could stay there. But there was still the small detail of furniture.
But my super-organized daughter had already thought of that. "I've got it all figured out mom. All we need is a table and some chairs, and I can borrow air mattresses for the bedrooms. There's a fridge and a stove so you won't have to eat out the whole time." Several days later, arriving weary after our thousand mile trek south, we found air mattresses in each of the bedrooms, adequate furniture to keep us comfortable for a few days and enough food in the pantry to take care of a few meals during our stay. Yes, she had indeed thought of everything.
When we left Alabama to pastor in another state, Autumn was halfway through her college career at Auburn University. After graduation she stayed in Alabama, far from family. So when Jimmie asked her to be his wife, she had no mom or sisters close by to help take on some of the responsibilities. From the search for the perfect wedding gown to the selection of bouquets and boutonnieres, she was pretty much on her own.
Autumn is a lover of books and trees, so it seemed only fitting that she combine the two. She selected a favorite, "The Giving Tree" and went to work. From the invitations to the design of the cake, along with the hand-painted dishes, centerpieces and favors, she planned and constructed every detail of her wedding to fit her theme.
She and Jimmie booked the venue, sprawling grounds featuring a lovely old bed and breakfast with lush gardens for the outdoor ceremony and a large, graceful pavilion for the reception. It was perfect for the intimate ceremony and reception she desired. The guest list was not extensive, made up only of hers and Jimmie's immediate families and very closest of friends.
The day dawned beautifully, perfectly. The ceremony would begin late in the afternoon, the wedding party gathering a few hours earlier for dress and pictures. Again Autumn had thought of everything, including hungry kids. There were finger foods laid out for the taking.
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| Valor, the ring bearer, sampling the finger foods |
If I needed to select one word that best describes that day, I think I would choose joyful. Starting with Moose the dog sporting his tux, the groomsmen in their converse, and the little people drawing oohs and ahs from those in attendance, there was pure delight in every moment. Finally, there was the setting itself, Autumn standing by her groom with her father officiating, a majestic tree behind them, as if it grew there just for this occasion. Just for her.
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| Little person Elley |
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| Looking sharp in their suits and converse shoes |
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| Moose decked out for the occasion |
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| The perfect setting |
And then there was the laughter. Autumn had picked out a favorite song, asked her sister to sing while the keyboard and violin accompanied her. The wind stirred up just as Fawn began, the gusts teasing, persisting in turning the pages of music sitting on the keyboard. "You've Got a Friend in Me," was as much laughter as song, and somehow, it felt right.
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| The song was as full of laughter as it was music |
In fact, the whole day felt right. Autumn had planned and prepared so well, that every part of it was easy to enjoy. I watched my radiant daughter relishing every moment, so deserved after months of getting ready for this day, most of it on her own. She laughed and joyed in the celebration of marriage to this man she wanted to spend her life with.
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| Look, I made mama happy cry |
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| Joyful Autumn |
Today Autumn and Jimmie are celebrating their seventh anniversary. They've already had some wonderful adventures and continue to live them. They also have a precocious little girl named Archer, a beautiful and unexpected blessing.
There will always be challenges, they've already faced a few. But something tells me they'll be just fine, finding joy and laughter in the journey.
Happy Anniversary Autumn and Jimmie. Much love, Mom.
