Saturday, I went to a wedding. I had been looking forward to it for months, because though all weddings are special, some are simply incredible. And this was the most amazing pairing of two people that I had ever witnessed. In fact, it is one of my favorite stories.

July 2008, found me at Camp Lurecrest doing my first round of kitchen duty while my daughter attended a summer session. My friend, whose husband is the camp director, told me that I would be working with a very special couple. Their wonderful reputation preceded them, but I would come to find it paled in comparison to actually knowing them. Like the difference between holding a photograph of a waterfall, and being close enough to hear its roar and feel its spray.

One thing my friend told me before I met them was that they had lost their college aged son to a car accident that occurred while he was jogging in their neighborhood. My heart already ached for such a loss.

All week, I worked across the table from this wonderful woman, who had kind, yet piercing blue eyes. She saw into parts of my heart that had been hidden to many.  She also made me laugh. From my gut. Her husband was pensive and quiet with deep, dark brown eyes that did not miss a thing. He also made me laugh, and I loved to hear him talk about history and stories from when they met.

One afternoon, while on a break, a group of us were talking about home schooling our children.  I looked over to this woman as she also home schooled for a while. I was caught off guard because her blue eyes had filled up with tears.

She was gazing across the pool at a young man who she had never seen before yet reminded her of the son who died much too young. I remember she said, “That boy looks just like my Philip. He has the same texture in his hair and the same build.”

I will never forget her next words because though they did not make sense to me at the time, both sentences were from her heart and you could tell were her ‘true truths’. She said, “God is good, but I just miss my boy so much some times.”

We just sat with her, not really knowing what to say. I wanted to thank her for allowing us to see her tears and feel her grief. But anything that I could muster felt silly in comparison to all that she suffered. I wanted to cry too.

We went our separate ways at the end of camp, but were forever joined at the heart. And, I may or may not have a big crush on her husband.

That winter, I received a hand written letter from her. She told me how they were doing, and then wrote, “Do you remember that young boy at camp who reminded me of my son?”  Of course, I did. I will never forget that moment when I saw  someone grieve and praise God in the same breath. “Well,” she wrote, “he has written to us, asking if he could pursue our daughter’s heart.”

First of all, I had never heard such a beautiful way of expressing a desire to get to know someone. But, WHAT???!!!! I had so many questions. How in the WORLD did that happen???

It seems that her daughter and this young man went to the same college. No one knew this. That fall, they wound up being neighbors, and became great friends.

Two years later, they were married.

The families and the groom walked into the church to Sara Grove’s “He’s Always Been Faithful” playing in the background.  And the smile on the groom’s face when the church doors opened and he saw his bride, is a sight I will never forget.

the end. and the beginning.

oh, and she wore cowboy boots under her wedding dress, because she is the coolest girl I know.

Sara Groves “He’s Always Been Faithful”

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.

I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me.