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With our oldest son, Eric, getting married next month, I am reminded of past weddings in our family. When I was only 4 and 5 years old, my two oldest sisters got married about a year apart. I was the flower girl in both of their weddings. I can still remember dropping red rose petals as I walked down the aisle covered in a white cloth. It looked so pretty!

I was also a bridesmaid for two of my other siblings and a few friends before my own wedding to Mark. The best part about being a bridesmaid is getting to wear a pretty dress and being included in the wedding party. Sometimes the hardest part of the "job" was walking down the aisle.

I remember our son, Eric, walked my Dad down the aisle at our nephew's wedding. My dad was 91 at the time and my Mom had passed away just a few months before. I LOVE this picture! The expression on Eric's face is absolutely priceless!

Mark and I were married on April 16th in 1983. Just two days earlier, we got 18 inches of snow! It looked like the weather might put a damper on our guess making the trip to join us for our big day. But, in true Minnesota style, the roads were cleaned up and the sun came out and started to melt the snow. Our wedding went off without a hitch!

Did you know we have big weddings in small towns? Both Mark and I are from small towns, so not only did all of our relatives join us, but also everyone from the church, the school, and our places of business. Everyone knows everyone in a small town and everyone gets invited. We had over 500 people there!

No one could afford a wedding like that now, but things were different back then. Weddings were held in the church and the receptions were usually in the adjacent fellowship hall/gymnasium. The ladies of the church made all of the food and it only came out to about $6 a plate. We also didn't serve alcohol or dance. But believe it or not, we still had a wonderful time. Our reception included a program, special music, speeches galore and great homemade food!

But the best part, besides marrying Mark, was having my Dad walk me down the aisle. My dad then walked on the platform and married us, since he was a pastor. That's a privilege that all of my siblings enjoyed - our Dad performed all of our ceremonies!

Mark and I went to The Keys in Florida for our honeymoon and stayed at his aunt's place. We even took a day trip to Key West. The only topless beach I've ever seen was then and there. (Very embarrassing on your honeymoon)! The other funny thing we laugh about is when we left the reception and drove an hour to our hotel only to realize Mark forgot his suitcase! So the next morning, my sister drove it over to us, so we could leave for The Keys. Guess Mark didn't really need it that first night anyway.

Weddings create such wonderful memories! It's fun to relive them, to look back and smile, sometimes laugh, sometimes tear up remembering who was there, but is no longer with us, etc. But the most important thing to remember is why you fell in love in the first place! It's good to be reminded of that along the ups and downs of life. I just know that I'm more in love with Mark now than I was on that day we said our vows, and it's all because God did it!

Below is our engagement picture. It sits in the one and only frame that it's ever been in and I would never even think to replace it, no matter how nicked up it may get.

Counting our blessings,

Mary Beth Roe