Saturday, July 5, 2014

Quick Takes: The Groom sees his Bride!





-1-

I don't normally post personal videos on the blog, but the groom wanted me to make this one public. 

There is that magical moment at every wedding when the bridegroom sees his bride for the very first time. The video below captures that moment, and the groom's reaction has actually made people (who don't even know the couple) cry. Not kidding. The pure love and elation that breaks on his face at the moment he sees my daughter cannot adequately be described in words, but my new son-in-law attempted it anyway: 
It was like an ocean of happiness poured down upon me all at once, and I was filled with a crushing joy....
If you can't wait, go to the 3:50 mark and enjoy! 



(And yes, my son the ring bearer's pants were apparently falling off, so kudos to Matthew for holding on tight and doing his duty valiantly anyway.)

-2-

So, I watched that magical moment on video about a hundred times, and then as Divine Providence would have it, someone posted a four-year-old article on Facebook that speaks directly to the heart of what was being established at the nuptial mass and also explains the look on the bridegroom's face, both in the video and below.

The truth about woman as bride



An excerpt:
“The Bridegroom is the one who loves. The Bride is loved: it is she who receives love, in order to love in return.” (Dignity and Vocation of Women, 29, St. John Paul II) 
That is, that the essence of marriage reveals the nature of man and woman: the man gives the gift of himself to the woman, who receives it in order to return it – and this relationship also forms an image of the spousal meaning of Christ’s union with the Church. The Bridegroom is the man, and also Christ. The Bride is the woman, and also the Church. 
And furthermore, if in His image God made him, male and female He made them, and God’s reality is Trinitarian, then the image is Trinitarian also. Not identity – equal plus equal, congruent, the same – but giving, receiving in order to return the gift, and the gift. Equal but different. 
You see?

Yes, I think I do.





-3-

Sometimes with transcendent joy comes acute sadness. As full to bursting as my heart was at the wedding and reception, it was also aching -- because we knew that this beginning would end with a good-bye on the same day. After the reception (and after many tears from her parents and siblings), our daughter and her new husband left immediately for their home in Charleston where the groom is stationed in the Navy. Charleston is not around the corner from Phoenix.

Mommies' hearts do funny and unexpected things when their babies finally fly away. I wasn't expecting it to hurt this much, but how can I be sad? Everyone said they have never seen a happier bride, and I must agree. These two are without guile, she a walking smile and he a walking heart. I am so very grateful to Our Lord and Our Lady that they found one another. I miss them. But they have something to do in the world, namely, to radiate God's love and goodness to everyone they meet. I wish you all knew them. 


-4-

Now, as you may know, there is a little something that has kept me from dwelling on my younger daughter's absence, and that little something is named Felicity Virginia: 

Grandma loves you!!




I will not think on the fact that she and her mommy and daddy will themselves be moving away in mere weeks.... Pray for me to not be such a wimp about saying good-bye again. I am incredibly blessed, and I know it. And it will be great being the only female in a house full of males... correct??

By the way, a shout out to my amazing older daughter who served as Matron of Honor at three days postpartum. She is a better woman than I! 


-5-

I think we all need to tattoo this on our inner arms:

Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise God, Whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cared for you today will take care of you then and every day.    -- St. Francis de Sales

-6-

I just had to post this meme 1) because I find it hilarious and 2) because it cuts through all the nonsense of the Hobby Lobby decision hysteria:



C'mon, you know it's funny.


-7-

There are bigger problems in this world than (chronologically) adult women in America who can't get people to pay for their contraception. For example, two-year-old Frankie needs a family!





Frankie loves to dance, and his favorite toys are cars! Who can resist him?? Please click here for more information, and let's pray that his family finds him soon!


God bless you all and thanks to Jen for hosting!


PS: I will post professional pics of the wedding when we get them! :)
















19 comments:

  1. Perfect, Leila! Thanks for sharing with your public! I've been blessed to have already been a bystander via internet but I loved the way you pieced it all together and I really needed to see that St. Francis de Sales quote again! Also, that meme had me laughing for a full 10 minutes the other day while my daughter patronizingly put up with me on the other end of the phone line....Departures, no matter when, and how often you get to see your grown-up babies, tear apart mothers' hearts.

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  2. Love that meme. I think the government might have to be forced to pay for purity rings while they're at it.

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  3. I popped over from Laura Phelps when I saw the title of this post. What a beautiful moment you have recorded! And such a pretty bride! Congratulations. My son is marrying in less than a year (next June) and I hope I don't become a blubbering mess, but since I cried watching your daughter walk down the aisle, there's not much hope! All of my children are in the wedding and by the time the bride appears, I'll be a mess! Any suggestions? ;-)

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    1. Meant to Say Laura's blog. Obviously I didn't pop over from Laura.

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  4. Thank you for sharing this video. Congratulations to the happy couple and to the parents (and grandparents) of Felicity :) God bless you all.

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  5. Barbara, congratulations on your son!! Ha ha, not sure I have any advice, although the weird thing is that despite the crying all around me before and during the mass, I did not cry then! I did cry at the rehearsal dinner like a fool and all night (but that has to do with the gift my daughter gave me.... long story), and then after the reception saying our good-byes.

    My poor, postpartum older daughter cried pretty much the whole day and then wept during her toast! The groom cried during the first reading, which was Tobit 8:4-8:

    When Sarah’s parents left the bedroom and closed the door behind them, Tobiah rose from bed and said to his wife, “My sister, come, let us pray and beg our Lord to grant us mercy and protection.” She got up, and they started to pray and beg that they might be protected. He began with these words:

    “Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors;
    blessed be your name forever and ever!
    Let the heavens and all your creation bless you forever.
    You made Adam, and you made his wife Eve
    to be his helper and support;
    and from these two the human race has come.
    You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;
    let us make him a helper like himself.’

    Now, not with lust, but with fidelity I take this kinswoman as my wife.
    Send down your mercy on me and on her, and grant that we may grow old together.
    Bless us with children.”

    They said together, “Amen, amen!”


    Isn't that beautiful?? I wish that on my own wedding day I had been as knowledgeable and faithful to the Lord as these two are! Really it was just a grace to be a part of it. A very similar grace when my older daughter got married last September, but at that time we were not saying good-bye.

    Oh, Laura's blog is amazing! That is SHINE on my blogroll, for those who don't know....

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  6. I have been thinking of you a lot lately, wondering how you are doing and knowing you will have to say goodbye soon. Just know I have been praying for you and I'm continuing to do so. God has given you much and now is asking much in return...

    You're right though, so many blessings, so it is all bitter-sweet! It will make those holidays that much sweeter!

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  7. Thank you, Becky!! I just pray that they can be here for those holidays, ha ha. That's another unknown. But I love how you put it: God has given me much and now is asking much in return. That is a great reminder for me!!

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  8. Thanks for sharing this! Aside from her perfect gown, veil and hair, Priscilla was radiating from the inside and was stunning. I've never seen before the classy, formal Navy attire that her husband was wearing.

    The kicker moment that made me snort while crying was when your husband and Priscilla reached the altar and he was about to kiss her and give her to her hubby.

    I didn't realize that the newlyweds were leaving the night of the wedding! It was another blessing for your sweet Felicity to be born before the wedding, or else Priscilla wouldn't have met her until...? It's perfectly okay for you to be a wimp when Cecily and her family move. Perfectly okay.

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  9. Beautiful, beautiful video!!!! Oh I do get that mama heart, I do!!{{{{}}} Gorgeous grandbaby and MOH 3 days postpartum!!! wow!

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  10. Oh he is just precious!!!! I've watched the video several times! Stunning bride!

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  11. GFNY, thank you! I am sure I will be a wimp in the end, for sure... And I know! I had never seen the dinner dress whites either, but the groom bought them specifically for the wedding! SO cool!!

    Thank you to Sew and Erin and Agaja, and Hafsa, and Catholic Grammie, and everyone!

    And Annabelle, would that be something!

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  12. Oh my garsh- your grand daughter is so sweet. The cooing, the squinting, the squawking at that age -- love it.

    Congrats to the newlyweds! I have 1,000 feels for you with the "moving away" turbulent emotions, too- from the 'daughter side'. Been there, and I totally sympathize. The uuuggghhh factor is high.
    And the mother-daughter bond - when it's healthy and strong - what else on earth can ever compare to it? A million words could never articulate the depth of the emotional and psychological exchanges between the two, no matter the age. It's very difficult to suddenly not have that relationship, because of proximity. ((Hugs, hugs, hugs))

    All the best to everyone as you settle into these new changes and challenges.

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  13. Leila~ You are "salt and light." Your Good News inspires weekly and I look forward to it. I'm dreading the goodbye's for you. I miss being with my niece in Phoenix (I'm in SC). Thank goodness you have a few other blessed distractions in the home still :)

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  14. Leila, That IS a fantastic look on Mr. Groom's face. I also saw relief and completeness on his face too.It sounds corny to say completeness. And as a single person, I have to believe we are complete people by ourselves. So maybe I see completeness of the engagement, of love -- whatever I'm trying to say, it's all GOOD.

    Glad the pants of your Matthew stayed on.

    Amazed your older daughter was able to serve as matron of honor so soon after giving birth. I'm impressed. Glad the timing worked out.

    I liked that your husband hugged the groom.

    Oh to be your lucky granddaughter and know only love and kisses.

    I read that Tobit reading at my cousin's wedding Mass. It's beautiful.

    Lots of gladness.

    More gladness to be had when a couple adopts little Frankie. I bet the little guy will bring joy to his future family. I pray that a celebration of family occurs soon.

    Yes, meme is funny!!

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  15. Beautiful bride, beautiful baby! What a summer you've had! (Can you breathe yet??)

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  16. Nubby, this:

    "And the mother-daughter bond - when it's healthy and strong - what else on earth can ever compare to it? A million words could never articulate the depth of the emotional and psychological exchanges between the two, no matter the age."

    Amen, a thousand times!!!

    Thank you Johanne! And Lena, great comment!! Thank you! Yes, a "completeness"! And I think that must be what Christ the Bridegroom looks like (pure love and joy) when He sees us (His Bride) walking towards Him to be united with Him! To me, the video moment is such an icon...

    Sooz, I wish I were in SC right now! :)

    JoAnna, I can almost breathe now.... ;)

    You guys are so sweet. Thanks for sharing our joy (and sadness)!

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  17. I just deleted a comment that was unintelligible, from a person who has commented before. Note to readers: If you want to comment, please stay somewhere in the universe of on-topic, and then be clear in your words and ideas. Thanks!

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