Simply Love

Every weekend we get to be a part of the joy and love between two people as they become husband and wife. Last weekend we witnessed that same love and joy as well as sadness and loss.

To express in words how my heart grieves for this beautiful family seems impossible. With an unexpected turn of events, Cynthia and Mike's May wedding was abrubtly moved to last Friday in the Mother of the Bride's hospital room so she could see her youngest daughter get married.

We also had the privelage to work with Cynthia and her family in a second wedding celebration on the following Saturday. Although, her mother Cindy was not able to join us, the warmth and strength of this couple's family and friends filled the ceremony and reception with abundant love.

I borrowed the title of this blog from Crystal DelaHoz, the photographer who caputured these heartfelt moments on Friday at the hospital. A few months ago she posted Cynthia and Mike's engagement photos and she recently posted "how fitting that the title of my blog post months ago for their engagement session was simply, love. Here we are again, with love, yet this time its not so light and fluffy its heavy and gut wrenching and bittersweet, but it is still simply love."

I am overwhelmed with sadness for a grieving family who has lost a wife, a mother, a sister, and a friend. I only knew Cindy for a short time but she was a woman who left a smile on my heart and an everlasting impression on the hearts of everyone who knew her.

My prayer is that when you watch this video, you too feel the love, warmth and strength that this family demonstrates and remind each of us the true meaning of love and the hope and joy that comes with marriage.