Wedding Update

As most of our friends and family are aware, my fiancé Rocky and I are getting married in a couple of weeks. A big goal of my mom’s has been to be in the front row on this special day. I want to say first and foremost that I have every bit of hope that this will still be possible. But we have come to face the reality that counting on that level of strength and energy out of her right now is probably not fair to her. We don’t want to seem pessimistic by ANY means, but this is something that has weighed extremely heavy on our minds and hearts over the past week or so.

Anyone who knows my mom knows that she is the most selfless person in the world, and all she wants is what’s best for everyone else. She has always put the wants and needs of her family before her own. I want to put HER desires first this time, and I know she wants to see me get married as much as I want her there. Both Rocky and I want to make sure that happens no matter what, because right now her happiness is our happiness. So while our hope and prayer is that God will give her the strength to be sitting up front on September 22nd, we have decided that we would rather have her see us married twice, than take the chance that she might not be able to see it at all.

On Friday morning, September 8th, Rocky and I are getting married in the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital chapel. It’s going to be a small, intimate service, just immediate family and the pastor. The chapel is very small, with only about 12 seats, so it will be standing room only. But all that matters to us is that my mom is able to see her baby girl get married (when I go see her lately she always says “my baby”, it's so sweet). That means anywhere, any way, no matter how big or small. Her presence will be a gift, and that will make our wedding day complete. We are still going to have our ceremony and reception on the 22nd, and I pray that those of you attending will all have the pleasure of seeing my mom that day. But even if for some reason she isn’t up to it, we will have peace in our hearts knowing she was there for the real deal. And I know she will feel the same way.

I really can’t put into words how much my mom means to me. She is the most influential person to ever touch my life, and I am a better person because I have her as a mother. As much as I try to explain it, I’ll never be able to measure my love for her in words. It’s just not of this vocabulary. I pray with all my heart as I enter this new chapter in my life, that I will be as good a wife to Rocky, and mother to the children we will have someday, as she has been to my dad and all of us kids. It’s a lofty goal, but I have a great teacher.