Small Backyard Wedding in Cedar Falls

Family

A few weekends ago, our family packed the car up to make the hour drive up to Cedar Falls to watch my mom get married.

It feels weird typing that, but it’s life. And I’m happy that she has found someone to spend her time with and enjoy all that life still has to offer her.

For those who don’t know me personally, I lost my dad several years ago to ALS. He was diagnosed with ALS just three months before he passed away. It was to date the hardest thing I’ve been through. He was the rock of our family and was always there for my sister and I when we needed him. Not to mention, he could literally fix ANYTHING.

He helped us move from our Madison, WI apartment all the way down to our new apartment in Austin, TX that year. Had I known that he was about to go through the hardest few months of his life, I definitely would not have moved when we did.

The few months before he passed away, I flew up to Iowa several times and got to spend some great time with him. Still, not knowing that he only had a few months to live.

My dad passed away six months before my wedding. He didn’t get to meet his grandchildren. He has missed a lot of huge life events, and a lot of important small ones too. It has been tough. Grief is so weird. It doesn’t really ever go away. It doesn’t get easier. It’s just….different. I can smile at memories now instead of breaking down crying (I still have those moments too.) I know that one day we’ll be reunited, and that’s what keeps me positive!

Anyway, that’s the back story here. Now, fast forward several years. My mom met Allen. While I’m still learning about him, I know that he loves my mom. And I know that they have fun together. Allen also lost his spouse a couple of years ago. So I’m happy for both of them that they get to experience marriage all over again. I do know that it won’t be the same for them, but I’m glad that they get to tread these new waters together.

My mom moving into this new chapter doesn’t mean that we’re closing a chapter on my dad. It just means she’s able to write a new chapter that coexists with all the old chapters.

Wow, sorry for the deep thoughts on this Wednesday!

Anyway, my mom and Allen got married a few weekends ago in their backyard in Cedar Falls! It was just close family and friends there and I snapped a few photos for them 🙂 Enjoy!

leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *