4/20/2015 was the official union day between Ben, Stacey, and their beautiful family. Yet these two have been together for several years, created a lovely spitfire of a daughter together, and worked to establish a beautiful connection between their two sons. While it was the "official" wedding day, this family has already demonstrated incredible love for one another.
On this day, we joined together to celebrate and honor the commitment this family has for one another. We gather at a mansion in the woods near Mt. Rainer, on a beautifully sunny day. The wedding was classic, with a theme reminiscent of a tale as old as time...
The wedding ran high with emotions- emotions that demonstrated beauty and a deep connection between Ben and Stacey. Ben's eyes whelled with tears at the anticipation of seeing Stacey walk down that aisle. I've known it for awhile, but seeing him there I could see how in love my brother is...and when Stacey walked down the aisle- laughing and bawling- I could see that she loves him with the same force.
During the ceremony, Stacey and Ben dawned rings that were forged from gold they had panned together... then, they placed rings on each one of their children's fingers made from the gold as well, to honor the bond that created not just a couple- but a family.
Then, Ben and Stacey were pronounced married! Mr. and Mrs. Bailey walked out of the building, along the red carpet lines with rose petals, where they received the line of family and friends who were ecstatic to be a part of this day.
Family pictures quickly turned into Lyra fighting with her clothing- and winning. Soon she was happily running around naked and playing the fountain, while the rest of us joined the food line.
During speeches, Keegan made us cry with a speech about how he's come to look at Stacey and Michael as his family, and loves them all with all his heart, and will until the day that he dies.
It was an incredible day. I am so thrilled to officially call Stacey my sister, and Michael my nephew (even though they already were that in my heart). I am so excited to have witnessed the love and commitment that this family has for one another- as well as the fun that they have together. Here's to the rest of our lives!