It was about seven weeks ago, when Steve and I experienced one of the biggest parental moments one can go through in life. We just got the pictures this week, so it brought back a flood of feelings and memories.

Seven weeks ago, we married off our oldest daughter. As a mama, I don’t know that any words could have prepared me emotionally for what I would feel on my daughters wedding day, or the days following.

On my baby’s wedding day, I felt complete happiness for her. Complete joy. Overwhelmed. Loved. Proud. Consumed. Emotional.

This picture is from the morning of her wedding day. When I look at this picture, I remember the emotion I felt. I just wanted to hold my little baby girl ,of whom I had always held, when she needed her mama. It would be one of the most significant days of her life. And mine.

On this day, part of me was wrestling with the feeling of loss of letting go, but the other part of me was so excited for her. She was the most beautiful bride in the world in my eyes, and I couldn’t believe what I saw unfold as she was getting ready.On this day, she kept saying, “I feel so pretty.”

And it made me happy.

On this day, we had so much fun getting ready. My other daughters, along with the other bridesmaids, melted my heart with their pretty pink dresses and beautiful bouquets.    

On this day, she was surrounding by everything beautiful. On this day, I fell in love with him like a mama, all the more. He loves her. He loves her so much.

The handsome groomsmen in blue, looking so dapper. It’s all a girls dream, when its right.

On this day, I saw…right, and I was so happy for my daughter.

On this day, I would sit and watch my husband walk my girl down the aisle to let her go. A girl he had poured blood, sweat and tears for. A girl he would give up his life for. A girl he held as a treasure. A girl he would fight with and love so fiercely. A girl so much like him, sometimes it’s crazy. Let’s just stop and look at this last picture. Then let’s look at the bridesmaids. Ok….

Then we witnessed pure beauty as we let go.  On this day we let go.

On this day, we embraced the future. I love the future. I love Luke.

On this day, I saw a new family begin.On this day, I saw joy!

And we celebrated!

And finally, on this day, we sent them off to their future. The next day, I had to drive their car back to Vancouver from the Portland airport, which had words on the side of it that said, “honk if you want to see us kiss.” And other interesting phrases.

Days later, Steve and I went to Australia to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Our lives are back to a new normal now.   Luke and Julia are living about five miles from us.  As I look back, I am so thankful for friends and family that came alongside to help Julia and Luke with their wedding.

Its fun to see Luke and Julia start their new lives together, and I couldn’t be more happy for the two of them.

I need to shout out a big thanks to Emily and Robert Perez, and Heather Veach  for the amazing photography, and Skylar St. John for video.  I also need to shout out to Clementine Sunflower for letting your mom and dad do the photography, and  for inspiring your parents to take such great photos.