One month ago, on October 14, 2010 my oldest daughter, Jennifer was married to a wonderful man named Garrison in Mesa, Arizona on a very hot, autumn day.
Many thoughts and worries crept into my mind as I tried to prepare to become a mother of a married child. Does my status as a parent change much? Do I stop parenting? And if so, how? What do I do now that she’s married? Is life as I know it as a mother over or is it only the beginning of something more beautiful?
The only things in my life that I have invested my whole might, mind and spirit in have been to the God and my children. They are the reasons for my existence. It seems as I’ve always believed in God, therefore I’ve continually prayed. Becoming a mother was a similar experience as I prayed my children to me…
We live in Delaware so I traveled all day with my children to Mesa, Arizona on airplanes. It was a very challenging experience because my ten year old, Noah is highly allergic to everything. I pre-boarded with him as he showed the stewardesses a card stating that he’s allergic to peanut dust. My other children boarded with us as well. The youngest was four, my fourteen year old has autism and my oldest I was traveling with that day is sixteen. Yes, she was even more difficult to travel with than the other three combined.
We accustomed ourselves to the Arizona time and climate for several days prior to the wedding. The weather was beautiful, though it did get hot for a few days. Noah has never experienced such good health as he did there. The condo was spacious and the pool was refreshing. We anticipated hating Arizona because of the heat. But instead something unexpected happened; the kids and I were pleasantly surprised that we fell in love with Arizona.
The day of the wedding was somewhat a blur and I felt more like an accessory than a contributor. All I did was show up with kids in tow. I didn’t help pick out Jennifer’s dress, veil, shoes, etc. because she was in Utah and I was in Delaware when all of that happened.
While my children were growing up, I often envisioned what their weddings would be like. I imagined I’d assist picking out dresses, gushing over their veils, and helping with bouquets. The menu would be discussed over thorough taste testing, the wedding cake drooled over, and the table centerpieces would be made by us all the while reminiscing over years bygone.
But I was in awe of the way Jennifer and Garrison managed to attend school full time, work full time and plan wedding in Mesa, Arizona while living in Provo, Utah. I don’t know anyone else who could have pulled it off as eloquently as they did.
We had some minor health issues (heat stroke, jet lag, earaches, etc.) that required my duties as a mother. I easily found an urgent care center for the earache, the jet lag was slept off and the heatstroke was eventually alleviated. Thankfully, crisis was averted again.
The reception was topnotch with an incredible photographer, dazzling videographer and an amazing organizer. Jennifer was the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen! Garrison was also dashing and is such a gentleman.
Thankfully, I don’t feel as though I’ve lost a daughter, but rather that I gained another family. My daughter’s in-laws are exceptional people and I am very grateful for their loving influences.
Their engagement came to pass on July 3, 2010, five years after they were introduced at EFY, in the very location they met in Buena Vista, Virginia. They soon lost touch for a long period of time, but found each other many years later at BYU.
In just a few short months, they were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. And it was the most exquisite miracle I have ever witnessed. Life unexpected, but welcomed nonetheless.