11:56 a.m. - 2006-06-24
a new chapter in my life
I have very special news to share with all of you.
Yesterday, I began a new chapter in my life.
Last evening, at an outdoor ceremony held at Evergreen Park in Bremerton, Tim Van Winkle and I were married. We began the ceremony by saying the following:
"Today I marry my best friend; the one I laugh with, the one I live for, the one I dream with, the one I love."
Amelia and Amanda gave me away and then stood up with us. Tim's dear friend, Father Jim Wright drove up from Portland to officiate the ceremony and my special friend Meka graced us with her beautiful voice singing the Lord's Prayer and Evergreen. Geneva laid at my feet until part way through the ceremony, when she got up as Father Wright spoke about the changes in our lives, and walked over to Tim and lay at his feet. That was a magical moment. Besides the exchanging of our rings, we gave the girls each a gold band to wear on their right hand, symbolizing the family circle, and the love between the four of us.
The sun was shining and a slight breeze was blowing as we stood on a grassy terrace adorned with flowers and three trees, for us symbolic of the Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). We had 40 family members and close friends in attendance. Our guests stood around on the grass about two feet below. It was truly a beautiful setting.
Following the wedding ceremony, we gathered for a picnic of sandwich fixings, chicken, fruit, chips and salads.
Amelia had bought me a bouquet which she so desperately wanted me to throw, I think hoping that she'd catch it. But she had some tough competition, including her 86-year-old great-grandma who is in a wheelchair, and with a little help from her new grandson Tim, ended up catching it and holding it proudly for the rest of the evening. She may have even slept with it last night. smile
The cake was beautiful, white, sprayed with pink flowers, and it was delicious too. Tim went first on feeding me a bite of cake and then I fed him. Neither of us wore too much frosting on our face, although Tim had a little more on his than me. I guess I'm not that neat of a feeder. grin
We leave this weekend for a week long honeymoon in Seaside Oregon.
I look forward to sharing Tim with all of you either in person or through my writing. When you get to know him, you'll see what a treasure he truly is.
Hugs,
Cindy Van Winkle
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