The Power of Love

Sometimes it amazes me
How strong the power of love can be
Sometimes you just take my breath away

You watch my love grow like a child
Sometimes gentle and sometimes wild
Sometimes you just take my breath away

And it's too good to slip by
Too good to lose
Too good to be there
Just to use
I'm gonna stand on a mountain top
And tell the news
That you take my breath away

Sometimes it amazes me
How strong the power of love can be
Sometimes you just take my breath away

Your beauty is there in all I see
And when I feel your eyes on me
Oh don't you know you just take my breath away

______________


What a day. I just got in from the most beautiful wedding - the union of my dear friends Stephanie and Kyle. I have so many thoughts about the day and I want to remember them all. Getting ready for an event is always so much fun - we all got our hair done together, put on our makeup and squeezed into our dresses. But no amount of primping could prepare us for what we would feel and experience in the ceremony itself. Walking down the aisle today was so nice - just smiling and holding my flowers and trying to keep my shoulders back. As I joined the other bridesmaids at the front of the church, the doors at the back were closed. When they opened a moment later, everyone rose from their seats. And in from those doors walked the most beautiful woman I think I've ever seen. As my friend Heather said, "It was like she was born to be a princess." I've known Stephanie my entire life, and I've never seen her with more than mascara on. She looked stunning - her hair, dress, everything. It wasn't the first time I'd seen her, of course - we all got ready and drove there together. But she was just radiant. Her beaming smile - it was incredible. I heard some sniffling to the right, and as I looked, I could see her sisters crying. I looked to my left, and saw Kyle, who was admiring his beautiful bride. He also was tearing up - and suddenly, I lost it. To my immediate right, Rachel pulled kleenex out of the front of her dress and handed me one, which caused a huge uproar amongst the bridesmaids - our shoulders heaving from laughing and crying at the same time.

The ceremony began with worship - we sang "Love Divine, All Love's Excelling" and "In Christ Alone." Steph and Kyle were just givin' 'er at the front while we stood amongst the congregation. It was so powerful. God's love for us is so amazing - the love between two people committing themselves to each other is such an incredible example.

I was amazed at how Stephanie kept her composure - I didn't see her shed a single tear throughout the entire service. Kyle, on the other hand, was constantly teary-eyed, which made most of the guests cry as well. But possibly the most moving part of the ceremony was when Stephanie sang a special song for Kyle - entitled "You Take My Breath Away," as sung by Eva Cassidy. You've probably figured out by now that the beginning of this entry contains the lyrics to this song. Steph had practiced it once with her accompanist, Laura - but you'd never've known it! It was incredibly beautiful. There wasn't a dry eye in the audience, I'm sure.

Sometimes it amazes me how strong the power of love can be. The love between two people. The love between a parent and child. And the love that God has for us. God uses both kinds of relationships to give us an idea of how much He loves us - but I'm sure we'll never fully understand the depth of God's love. A love that is unconditional, a love that never fades. A love that is always patient, always kind, always true.

I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love - not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! -- Romans 8:38-39

The rest of the service was just as lovely - Kyle whispered and cracked his way through his portion of the vows, while Stephanie spoke hers with confidence. I sniffed my way through the signing of the register and bit my cheeks to try and hold back the tears. I don't know why I do that - it never works.

The photo shoots were fun and the reception was fantastic. The food(specifically the dessert buffet) was awesome - though my dress was already so tight, and by the end of the meal, my rib cage was sore and each of the bridesmaids had a little bulge protruding from beneath the sash. The games, the slideshows, the dancing, the company - it was just an amazing time. The speeches were well thought-out - it was so much fun to hear stories from the parents of the bride and groom. Kyle's speech was the highlight for everyone, though, I'm sure. Even though he was crying for most of the day, he managed to pull himself together and confidently deliver a solid, powerful message and a toast - to Stephanie.

The passion of love bursting into flame is more powerful than death, stronger than the grave. Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods; it cannot be bought, no matter what is offered.
-- Song of Songs 8:6b-7

Stephanie and Kyle - thank you for having such a phenomenal wedding. I'll be your Maid of Honour anytime.