Today I’m heading home after a week-long cultural exchange experience. My muscles are sore, and I’m tired. But it’s a good tired, the kind one feels after finishing a long race in record time.
You may know that I have a very small family, no siblings, no parents, no aunts or uncles. I have a husband, a son, and a cousin, but not just any cousin. Kate is a sister-cousin, a “twin cousin.” We are 14 months apart in age and have never had fewer than 450 miles separating our homes, but our spirits have always intertwined such that intervals of time and space do not exist for us. We have always been together.
When her oldest daughter announced her engagement, I made plans to attend the wedding. Before long an idea emerged, an opportunity to immerse myself in a foreign culture. I volunteered for the Bridal Mission Trip. I would become one of the family for the five days leading up to the big event. And when I say big, I mean BIG … eight bride’s maids and a maid of honor … eight groomsmen and two best men … five flower girls … three ring security boys … and let’s not forget the bride and groom!
Since wishes were lofty and budgets limited, Can-Do Kate wore (and generously shared with me) many hats: Wedding Planner, Florist, Rehearsal Dinner Caterer, Reception Party Decorator (which included borrowing, laundering, and ironing linens for 18 huge tables). The morning of the wedding, still in our pajamas, Kate and I assembled 10 beautiful bouquets with white roses, poms, greenery, and tiny purple and blue orchid blossoms. I wired at least 70 of those delicate flowers, a skill I learned via You Tube video a mere ten minutes into my morning coffee.
The week was full of so many women working long days together to make it all happen. Kate’s home was Wedding Central, with every horizontal surface piled high with vases, flowers, ribbons, photos, tulle, wires, scissors, pens, paints, pliers, knives, candles, and shoes … so many shoes! I cooked and cleaned and did dishes, mountains of dishes. I designed and created the wedding programs while busily preparing a rehearsal dinner for 40. The rest of the details are a blur.
The take-aways, though, are crystal clear. I learned what Instagram is, installed it and posted my first photo. I learned about spray tans, eyelash extensions, and bustling a wedding dress train. I learned about submersible electric candles, floating candles, and acrylic paint pens that write on wine glasses. And I learned about the joys of service, offering my skills, energy, and love to make the dreams of some very special people come true. For an entire week, I was part of a female contingency that demonstrated unconditional love at a grassroots level. This past week, I felt the presence of Divine Spirit, Divine Love, and Divine Connection. Now I know the true meaning of the phrase, “God is in the Details.”
I am overflowing with gratitude for this unique, family-centered opportunity and my heart is singing with joy from the experience.
Love this story…. so much energy. We have a wedding to plan here on the 8th of March….. and to a budget as well. What sort of orchids come in that blue? Did you die them? What was the idea of writing on Wine Glasses, was it so people used the same one all evening? Please send me some of your wonderful energy! and any new ideas!!! We are enjoying our Peugeot… Beautiful hot day here today, so had a lovely drive with the top down. Can’t beat that free feeling. Regards Glenys
Hi Glenys! We dealt directly with a wholesale florist. The orchids are specially dyed prior to shipping them to us — I think the purple is natural, but not the blue. The aren’t that expensive and stayed very fresh for a long time. The bride gave each bridesmaid a wine glass that we decorated with their name and some little swirls. They were placed on the head table for the girls to use during the reception. I wish you well with your wedding, and would be happy to share any other ideas with you! Kate (mother of the bride)
This is what family means to me. I have 2 sisters, a brother, mother & dad and mother-in-law and none are as close to me as this mission of love. Really good post. Love you, annie
Love you, too! And let’s not forget three amazing grandchildren who will dote on you in your old age … even if you have forgotten the names of that boy and girl in that oil painting (which you will forever remember the cost of). LOL!
Beautifully expressed, Twin Cousin! You really captured the essence of our time (minus the aching feet, frantic errands and searches for lost things that were there just a minute ago!)
So glad you finally found your car keys!!
What a lovely story to share, Barbie! What a unique and beautiful bond you share with Kate and a delicious event you shared. Hard work and well worth it by your description and the photos. I guess you could add “wedding planner” to your list of talents! Blessings abound!