Big News...There's a Wedding to Plan!

My beautiful daughter is engaged.  I don't know where the past 21 years have gone but they've vanished in a blur, and now, she is standing on the brink of a whole new chapter in her life.  And I couldn't be happier or more proud of all she has done in her life.  She is truly a unique person who marches to her own beat but I see glimmers of me shining through every once in a while, and I have to just smile.  It's so hard because when you're raising these little ones, there is no instruction manual, no way to know if you're doing it right or wrong but then they grow up, you hope and pray, only to realize that you all survived and you've raised a beautiful child into an adult.  And, now, I get to welcome another son to our family.  I hope he's ready for our family's idiosyncrasies.  I know all families have them but you always feel like you need to hide yours for as long as possible.

So, in honor of this wonderful moment, I wanted to share my thoughts...

[caption id="attachment_1123" align="aligncenter" width="339"] My daughter on her 2nd birthday. She loved that rocking horse so much![/caption]

I can't wait to help her plan her special day, to be there to celebrate her new life and be as much of a help as possible without being a hindrance.  I hope that every dream she ever has comes true and that her special day is just as she imagines it to be!

[caption id="attachment_1124" align="aligncenter" width="363"] Isn't she precious?[/caption]

I was a young mom, so maybe I feel like sometimes I was just winging it, not always knowing what the right move was and I'm sure I made my share of mistakes with her, but I'm glad that she still loves me and that we got through it all okay!

[caption id="attachment_1125" align="aligncenter" width="581"] At our wedding, my daughter and my dad escorted me down the aisle. She is completely adorable in her hat and dress. And holding tight to her "great-mom" my grandmother.[/caption]

I know that her great-mom, my grandma, is looking down from heaven, smiling.  I wish she could be here with us to share in the love and the good news, but I know that she's watching and loving that her little girl is so happy.  My grandma and my daughter shared a special bond and I am forever grateful she had the chance to have her in her life.  :)  I know that my daughter's father is also smiling at her news, and wishing he could see her married. I hope that he knows that I've done the best job as a mom that I could and that her dad has been a fantastic dad for her in his absence and he will always be there for her too.  She's been blessed with many people in her life that love her so completely.  I've often joked that my husband fell in love with her first, me second.  And I wouldn't want it any other way!

[caption id="attachment_1126" align="aligncenter" width="941"] Welcoming her baby brother and holding tight to her favorite doll baby, who she named, Pink Baby. Seems apt, doesn't it? :)[/caption]

As she grew up, she only got more beautiful, until one day, she was the beautiful woman she is today.





[caption id="attachment_1127" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Her graduation photo[/caption]

I know that her life holds so much beauty, love and promise and I'm just glad to be her mom and there to share in it.  So here's hoping the next year or two of planning is full of lots of fun!  Of course, the hubby's already looking at the budget, but where is the fun in that?!?  I only have one daughter and I am an excited mom with a wedding on her mind.