I am so lucky.

Sean and I had talked about getting married for awhile. The girls badgered him to ask me to marry him for months. And while the official engagement was short, it was plenty long for what we wanted in a wedding. We started to plan a very small ceremony. We considered local parks and discussed the guest list. We wanted to be sure our immediate families could come. And that's about it.

Then we had the idea to try to get married at Sean's grandparents' church in my hometown so we could more easily have his grandparents there.

Sean's mom did almost all the work. She arranged for the place and the flowers and a photographer and to have dinner after at a restaurant at the marina. She and Sean sent pictures back and forth to pick out the flowers. Sean put together the bouquets using Calla lilies, greenery and baby's breath bound with a simple wide ribbon. My contribution was suggesting to have the bouquet divided so when it was time to pass it neither daughter would feel slighted. He and his mom did the rest. And as beautiful as the bouquet was, I thought most of the beauty was in that he chose it.

The pastor who was going to perform the ceremony had a death in his family the week of the wedding and was in Ohio. Lucky for us, Sean grew up living next door to the pastor of the neighboring church for about 20 years. And lucky for us the wedding at the neighboring church that was scheduled for Saturday was an hour after ours. And the pastor was willing to step in and help us so that his grandpa's pastor wouldn't have to rush back.

We were both amazed at how many people came. Most of the guests were family - but family that came from Mississippi, Georgia, and North and South Carolina as well as those who live in the area. It was very meaningful to us to have them all there.

A few friends also made it. My best friend Lisa was in town to visit with her great-aunt in the hospital. She didn't believe I was serious when I asked if she had time to come to the wedding. It had been way too long since I'd last seen her - but that doesn't seem to matter when you're friends like we are. Everyone needs a friend like her - straight-talking, good hearted, and fun.

Two of Sean's buddies from work and his former roommates and friends - Laithe and Hamza - who are from Jordan drove up from Charleston on Saturday. They cheered for Sean when he stepped to the front of the church with the pastor and Alan. I loved hearing that from the church foyer while waiting to walk in.

We started the music a little late and didn't play all the songs we'd chosen. But the ones we liked the most played. Hayden's "Surprise" Symphony No. 94, and Misty Moonlight Waltz by Yo-yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor. (Edgar Meyer is a now famous local boy. His dad taught orchestra at the public schools when I was growing up. And that waltz is beautiful. Afterward I found out that Sean's grandma used to do Edgar Meyer's mother's hair in her beauty shop. Small world.) The girls and I entered with the girls going first to a wedding march, just not the usual wedding march.

I wasn't sure how long to wait for them to go before I went. I was a little anxious, and I knew the pastor had to get somewhere, so I just waited for them to get a little ahead of me and started walking. I had to slow down about halfway up because I was gaining on them so much. Oops.

We used non-traditional vows. Or at least not the usual cherish/obey vows. I wasn't sure how the pastor was going to feel about the vows we picked. I didn't want to say something I didn't truly mean. And I also didn't want to repeat a vow I'd already said to someone else. So we used these vows:

(Sean/Joanna), I take you to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife).Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, as I offer myself to you with all my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.

The pastor made some remarks at the beginning that I don't remember. He told the story of Adam and Eve. The one thing I remember him saying is that the marriage is a process. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the process has started.

We gathered after the ceremony at Flatwater Grill close by the marina for dinner. It felt like just the right spot. We got the bar area for our group because their party room was already booked. I'm glad it worked out like that. The view was nice - and the bar convenient.

There were no toasts or the other things that usually go on at a wedding reception. We did have some very special cakes. My brother baked them. And he and my sister-in-law were up until 1 a.m. finishing them the night before they drove to TN. He made 2 coconut cakes - because I told him that was my favorite of the cakes he's made so far - and 2 Guinness cakes - because Sean loves Guinness and isn't a fan of sweets or icing.

Sean's aunt also brought a chocolate cake with a funny bride and groom topper on it - the bride pulling the groom by his collar.

So many people - Sean's relatives - came up to me after the ceremony and welcomed me to the family, told me how glad they are that Sean and I found each other again. That meant a lot to me. I think many of them had given up on him getting married. Maybe that's why so many came - they wanted to see for themselves when he did! His mamaw told him that one of his aunts prayed for him every day for 3 years, wanting him to find love. I think that's amazing. What a gift.

I feel very lucky. And very grateful. To his mom for making the day so special and beautiful. To his family for coming. To my own family for coming. To David and Mary Ann for making those cakes. I probably should have said all that at the dinner, but I didn't. And saying it here really isn't enough. My heart feels very full.

I just have a few photos so far that his mom has passed on to us...

Sean's mom and her husband with us - and this one. I think just after the photographer took this Sean whispered that this pose is just not him. Ha.