Well....it's done....she's married!

Well.....it is done.      Kate & Josh got married Saturday, pulled out of our driveway at the end of the reception and flew off to Washington State to enjoy a week in Seattle and Mt. Rainier.  

I had no idea what an emotional experience it would be to see this beautiful child of mine - my first born child - that I've loved and cared for and invested in for so many years -- marry and leave my driveway that evening.

Whew!  It was rough.  Now..... I know.   I'm not the first mom that's had a daughter get married.   I know that.   But, I'm telling you.    It was a surreal day.  I tried my best to stay in the moment and soak it all in - but it was like I had an out of body experience all day.   I was watching it all unfold, but it was just all so surreal.

Man oh man.    Unprepared for the emotion of the day.     It was sweet and tender from start to finish.   I've known since the first time I laid eyes on Josh Deese that he would be my son-in-law.    I didn't tell Kate that, of course, until a year or so later.   But I knew it.    As we've spent time with him and gotten to know him better, we've all grown to love him.   But on that day - I tell you what.   He captured my heart.

But......Kate.    There in the driveway, just before she left.    Whew!   My girl.    In that one moment, every image of that child growing up flashed before my eyes - and I grabbed hold of her for dear life before she pulled out of my driveway- - and had me an ugly cry -- the kind you'd really rather not share with anybody else.

And then....a moment later, she was gone.

Post wedding, Scott & Taylor have been processing this in their own way too.

The day after the wedding, Taylor sat on the sofa for about 18 hours straight.   Come to think of it, I don't think she moved all day -- watching one depressing movie after another!     (That's pretty funny now that I think about it!)    She doesn't show her feelings easily -- (and she doesn't read my blog either, so I can say that and get away with it :)   ---so the depressing movies was her way of processing her sister being married off.

Scott.    He's still working through his feelings and emotions.   If you know Scott, you know that's to be expected.   He's a tender one.

What a time of life this is - sweet and tender and changing.