Today I Take You

Our wedding day. April 16, 2011.

Let's see, where should I begin? Well, we had about 5 months to plan this thing. I have always dreamed of getting married at my Granny & Grandaddy Kennedy's farm. We just call it "The Farm". It is a beautiful place, not only because of the memories made there but the landscape too. We started work immediately on a few major projects (new roof for the barn, clean several fallen trees, pull more fallen trees out of the pond, etc.) I must confess, when I say we, I really mean my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and Ryan. I did help. But not like they did! (MANY THANKS!!) Planning was pretty easy for me. I had in my head what I wanted and we just went from there. Ryan and I are both pretty laid back so we didn't want anything real formal. Everything was going to be outside; ceremony by the pond, reception by the barns. My sister helped out a lot by putting some ideas into more realistic projects. We, after all, didn't have a long time and I was getting use to a new job. Anyway, plans, plans, plans.......and then THE DAY!

Everyone had been worried about the weather all week leading up to the 16th. I wasn't until I woke up that morning! Cloudy. Not only that, but cloudy with a 40-60% chance of rain. It fluctuated throughout the morning. Everyone that was helping out kept calling the house asking, "What are we going to do"? Well, we are going to have a wedding. And we are going to have it outside! Ryan had written me the sweetest note that both made me cry and calmed me down at the same time. I won't share it all, but at the end he said, "I'll be waiting at the bottom of the hill".

The bridesmaids and I spent the morning relaxing and getting beautiful. The groomsmen spent the morning hanging out and helping setup. We all headed out to the farm (a short 10 minutes from my parents house) about 2:00. And guess what....SUNSHINE! No clouds, No rain! I could feel all the prays just pouring out as I got out of the car. The Lord provided a beautiful, but windy, day. The wind was welcomed and cooled us off and kept bugs away. I was so thankful!

As with most thinks there were a few hiccups. (my aunt rushed the bridesmaids down the isle because she thought it was thundering. It was the wind in the microphone!) Haha!

But as I walked down the isle to meet Ryan I clearly remember the words that were playing:

"He will allure her
He will pursue her
And call her out
To wilderness with flowers in His hand
She is responding Beat up and hurting
Deserving death
But offerings of life are found instead
She will sing She will sing Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away To valleys low
To acres of hope Acres of hope"
by Shane & Shane

It was sung so beautifully by Tyler Lyle.
The song is written from the book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Its a beautiful picture of how God pursues and redeems us. He gives us the blessing of marriage to share that picture of his love with the world. May we always treat it that precious.

Ryan and I decided to write our own vows. Which freaked me out a little in the beginning. He is such a great poet and writer and I, well, don't really think I am. With a little guidance from him, I finished mine. As I look back at them again, I just can't help but be right back under that pine tree...

Today, Laura, I take you to be my wife

I solemnly vow with the help of God

To be the husband God commands to be.

I promise to love and cherish you above all

To give up my life for you.

To lead you with gentleness

Thinking of your needs before my own.

I promise to forgive you when I’m wronged.

To be patient when life’s hard

To be your strength when you are weak

And I promise to provide for you and our family.

I promise to love you regardless of wealth or health.

I willingly and gladly forsake all others for you

And I promise to be yours and only yours for the rest of our lives.

Today, Ryan, I take you to be my husband

To be God’s chosen for you, in whatever life shall bring.

I promise to love and cherish you above all

To submit to you as to the Lord

To encourage you with gentleness and a quite spirit

Being sensitive to your every thought,

Considerate of your every need,

Patient with your every weakness,

Providing a heart that understands,

And a warm home for you to live in.

I promise to forgive you as God forgives us.

And to love you regardless of wealth or health.

I willingly and gladly forsake all others for you

Today and forever you are my beloved and I am yours.

The reception was in between the barns. It was so much fun! I wish I could have slowed things down to that I could have taken in every moment. We ate, drank, danced, and tried to visit to everyone. As the sun started sinking behind the trees, it was time for us to jump in the Bronco (my dad's '79 orange Bronco!), head down the driveway lit with sparklers, and get the honeymoon started;)!

April 16, 2011 was amazing, but only the beginning to our new life together. We thank God for allowing us to be blessed with the gift of marriage. We pray that it will be glorifying to Him and a picture to those around us of God's love for them.

Place me like a seal over your heart,

Like a seal on your arm

For love is as strong as death

Its jealousy unyielding as the grave

It burns like blazing fire,

Like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;

Rivers cannot sweep it away.

For I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

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