Early in August, my family and I drove to Kentucky to share the joy of my daughter's wedding. Sara and Clay were married on August 7, 2010. People asked me if I was ready to walk her down the aisle. My first response was, "Of course, no problem." I hadn't really given it much thought. Marriage was a step Clay and Sara were taking, and my plan was to simply be happy for them.
But just a few days before the wedding, Lori asked me to put together a power point to show at the reception. Clay's mom, Kay, had given us some pictures of Clay as a child, and we had several of Sara. I brought them all over to my office to scan and add to the power point. With each picture my mind was taken back to the event captured there and the joy and love I had for my daughter. She had always been "Daddy's little girl." It has been a long, long time since I had shed tears like I did on this particular night in my office. I was thinking about my little girl and how she has grown up to be such an amazing woman. I remembered the times we shared, the laughter and the tears, and I couldn't help but rejoice and give God thanks for the blessing she has been to me and our family. In dealing with the tears I convinced myself that I was not going to lose my daughter, but instead I was gaining a son. I did refrain from crying (thank you, Lord) when I walked her down the aisle. But in the short journey with Sara on my arm, my heart was full of joy and love for her, my new son, my wife, Lori, and my entire family.
I remember a few years ago when Sara and I had a discussion about the kind of man I hoped she would find. My prayer was that she would find a man who loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength and who would love her with just as much passion and put her first in his life. I couldn't have hand picked a better husband for my daughter. Clay has a driving passion for Jesus and is not ashamed. He is responsible, wanting to have his own place and a decent job before he ever spoke with Sara about marriage. His love for her has been demonstrated over and over again. Sara had made a commitment to save intimate (sexual) relations until after marriage, and Clay has respected her for this, and vowed with her to be committed with the same fortitude.
Clay and Sara are happy and enjoying life together. They are home from their honeymoon and back to the routine of work and school. My prayer for them both is for there to be no end to the joy and happiness they find in each other. Staying committed to God and to each other, may their cords of love always be strong.
