Christina and Ryan became friends in 8th grade. After high school graduation, each went on to their own lives. Christina married and had two children, and Ryan became a career Navy man. Fast forward 12 years, and Christina was single once again. She and Ryan re-established their friendship, but this time it blossomed into love. Ryan had never married, and confessed to Christina that he had loved her since 8th grade -- and that he was never able to find someone else who could hold a candle to her!
This past Thursday morning at Gemini Springs Park in DeBary, by the St. Johns River, with the sound of herons calling to each other, a family of bunnies nearby, and surrounded by their families, Ryan and Christina became husband and wife. Ryan began to cry happy tears as their ceremony started, and was still crying when their ceremony ended.
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| In addition to including them in their Sand Ceremony, Ryan & Christina included her children by giving them a special gift during their ceremony -- a beautiful ring for her daughter, and a wonderful engraved dog tag for her son. |
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| Mama & Daddy were in the Rabbit Hole, but Baby came out for a photo! |
This morning, I officiated another wedding with a wonderful story. Todd and Stacy had married each other right after high school graduation, back in 1978. After five years, they divorced. Each moved on with their lives and married other people. Ten years ago, both single, they met again, and their sparks rekindled! The theme I used for their ceremony was "Love is Lovelier the Second Time Around." Todd cried happy tears from beginning to end, and Stacy's tears as she said her vows was so moving.
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| If you look closely, you can see the photo of Todd & Stacy that was taken at their first wedding in 1978 -- it's on the table to their right! |
Two different weddings, two very different men -- but both of them weren't afraid to let their emotions show, and cried tears of joy. Real Men DO cry -- and it's a beautiful thing!
I know I've said it before, but I'll keep saying it, because I truly mean it -- I LOVE what I do! What an honor and privilege to be a part of a couple's happiest moments!Congratulations, Christina & Ryan, and Congratulations, Todd & Stacy -- may the joy you felt on your wedding day continue for the rest of your lives together!
1 comments:
That is a very touching story about Christina and Ryan's marriage... but the part that you're missing is the part where she gave up on her first marriage (to the father of those two children). She ran into Ryan during a tough time in her first marriage while the father of her children Terry was going through hard times. She decided she no longer wanted to fulfill her "for better or worse" vows to him. Even though Terry was going through a very bad time in his personal life he always loved them and wanted more than anything to make their family work. Although Terry was reckless it was never directed towards Christina or the children. She used his recklessness against him in the court system to deny Terry any rights to his kids. Even though both Christina and Terry's love lives have turned out for the best he still deserves to know his children. She refuses to allow even a phone call from their real father. It appears that she wants to erase the truth about who the real father of those two beautiful children are..... but he knows one day they will find out for themselves that their father isn't the bad person he's been made out to be and he has always wanted to be a part of their lives.
I have known them both since they were married. I have witnessed both sides and I know that Terry has always wanted to be a part of the children's lives but Christina made it impossible. One day the kids will know the truth.
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