Rebekah's wedding- Rehearsal dinner

 We had a nice wedding rehearsal and dinner for our daughter and her fiance. Nick's parents are so sweet, generous, and kind. The rehearsal at the church went pretty quickly, maybe 45-60 minutes. It helped to know who was entering when and where since we had not been at their church before. We know our church inside and out since we have been there for over 25 years. It's always fun to see how another church is run. They had a wedding ceremony coordinator and she was great! Her husband was in the wedding, so we got to know them a little bit. She put tape on the floor where the bridesmaids and groomsmen could stand.

I was glad that she remembered to use her fake bouquet that we made at her bridal shower!

Girls all in place... 

It was at a nice restaurant that we had never been to. It is near their house, and it is near a golf course in the subdivision. The food was delicious, and it was so fun to see out-of-town family!

Nick's sister put together a video of pictures of each of them alone and then together as they dated and were engaged. It was a great slideshow!

After the dinner of chicken and pasta, Nick's dad Matt gave some announcements, such as Rebekah's graduation earlier that day, and my Dad's birthday. He thanked those who came from far away to celebrate with us and had my Dad tell a joke. I enjoyed meeting Nick's extended family who was there too.

They each gave gifts and talked about who was in their wedding party. She gave me a necklace with my kids' birthstones, including my newest "kid," Nick! 😢

Several friends and family members got up and gave a speech, including memories of them at various times, we laughed and cried!

In my "spare time," I cross-stiched a personalized sampler with their names, wedding date, a Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13, a heart, and a rose. It turned out great! They loved it!

I love Rebekah's facial expressions!

My sister-in-law took these pictures, and I'm so glad that she did!

Rebekah and her Nana 💗

My kids with their completed wall hanging... I was pleased with how it came out!

We got to take home a centerpiece from the dinner, three red roses, and baby's breath in a jar... love it!

It was such a wonderful day, I tried to soak in each moment, but it went by so quickly! I'm so happy for my girl and her beau. It was the beginning of an amazing weekend celebrating them and their lives together! We love her SO much, it was hard not to be weepy the whole time. But this is where God has led her. We have prayed for this young man since she was a baby! It is kind of surreal to meet him, know him, and give her away in marriage.  It is a blessed union!

Genesis 34:12
Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I’ll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the young woman as my wife.”

Matthew 9:15
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

John 3:29

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.