This past year and a half has been quite a challenge for my husband Mark and myself. After 5 years of trying to find decent  employment, my husband had hit rock bottom. So together we made a brave decision to believe we could change our lives by taking a chance and relocating my husband to North Carolina. He had an opportunity to join a very talented and successful team of Realtors in Asheville, keeping his Florida Real Estate license, and adding a North Carolina license so he could work with these amazing people. The only problem being that I would be staying here in Florida to finish school while continuing to work and supporting him until he built a successful future for us.
After going back and forth over many months the decision was made and it was time to take that step into the future. Of course, this also meant it was time for our engaged daughter to find her own home with her fiance.We all moved out and went our separate ways- Mark to Asheville, me to my Mom’s house and my daughter with her fiance.

Except he wasn’t her fiance.

Unbeknownst to me, they had decided several months before at the onset of all this change to make a trip to the court house and elope.  She had finally worked up enough courage to tell me this major event in her life had occurred without us.

Now, what can you say to your daughter when asked why on earth she would do such a thing and she tells you that she didn’t want to live together with her fiance unless she was married.

(Deep Breath) OK. Well shut my mouth.

After thinking long and hard about this…and feeling sorry for myself (and her) because I wouldn’t be able to throw the beautiful wedding I had dreamed of for her… heck not even being present when she said her vows- I realized something.

It wasn’t about me.

This was about their choice and about my daughter who wanted to do the right thing because she was no longer living in our home and had made her promise to God and to the young man she loved.

And I asked myself,  wasn’t this the kind of kid I wanted to raise? One who loved God, one with MORALS?? – Quite an amazing thing in this day and age.

So last weekend we had a beautiful little ceremony, a blessing and renewal of vows at her Grandmother’s home, in front of family and those who love her best.  My husband performed this special ceremony, asking for God to smile upon their life together.

Maybe it wasn’t the big, grand, fancy wedding I had envisioned, but it was beautiful and special.  And I watched my daughter with love, knowing I raised a young woman I can be proud of.

Mom and Bride

Making the bouquet

Lacey getting ready

The Happy Couple