We met the photographer on the beach right at 5:00 pm. Sarah was very friendly and handled our group very well. She also has a daughter with autism so she seemed very at ease with our wiggles and interruptions.
We walked down the beach to find the best place to set up. We decided to do the ceremony just north of the Apache Pier. Honestly we couldn't have asked for a better day... it was slightly overcast and a little windy. We adjusted where we stood to account for the wind and then got started.
Pastor Todd used Sammy's purple Bible and shared a few passages that they had chosen the night before. Then we all shared our vows. Scott, Me, Tyler and then Sammy. We had spent some time yesterday asking each kid to write three promises to the family.
Tyler promised to 1) hug us when we weren't feeling well 2) help out with the dog and 3) to make similar memories with his own family some day.
Sammy promised to 1) help people 2) not say bad words and 3) be a good friend.
It was a sweet, sweet ceremony... one we will never forget. As Scott kissed his bride, Sammy jumped up with hands raised and shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"! It was hilarious.
We spent the next half hour taking pictures and enjoying the beach. As we were walking back to the Margate the photographer pointed out a rainbow over the ocean saying "that never happens during beach weddings" We all stopped, humbled by the view. I hugged my kiddos and asked them what they thought it could mean. Very matter of factly, Sammy replies "Its God's promises to us" Yes, indeed.
As we walked into the lobby of the Margate, we could already see the limo had arrived. Our driver Tim was wonderful. He swiftly loaded us up and we were on our way.
First stop... Outback for dinner.
It was lots of fun to share this time together with Todd and Annie. They are wonderful people who love Jesus and our kids and today, more than ever, it showed.
After we finished our meal, Tim drove us to a local park to share our wedding cake. We had ordered it earlier this week from Crumb Buns, Mmm and picked it up this weekend before they closed for a vacation. Sammy, supervised by Annie, had decorated the cake earlier in the day with some leftover frosting from Tyler's birthday. She was very proud and in spite of its untraditional appearance, it was wonderful.
Then we decided to visit Broadway at the Beach. It would give us the opportunity to show the Schmidts and we hoped for a coffee as well. We had SO much fun. We visited the giant candy store, we danced by the waterfall, we posed at the picture boards and just LAUGHED. It was fabulous.
The kids had such a fun time... at one point doing pushups in the car. On our drive home, Tim drove us past the big tree in the Kroeger's parking lot. We didn't get out but it gave Scott and the Schmidts a chance to see it.
It was a beautiful night... filled with love and laughter. We couldn't have planned it any better.
