Congratulations Ragan and Jason: we love you!
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubador is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain,
for whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name,
There is love. There is love.
As my first born, the love that your birth introduced to my being was unfathomable. Parenting you was hard for me as a single mom. Loving you was so easy. You were always the accommodater, the gentle spirit, the bright light of my every day. “I love you mommy!” I can still hear your happy lilt.
You were eager to do whatever mommy enrolled you in…Â you were and are an ethereal and very creative spirit.
… and you grew into a mind of your own that was gentle and loving and so eager to please: happy, playful and the best big sister.
And suddenly, you were an adult. How did that happen?
And then you met him. Not right away. Not one of many, either. You were working too hard. Nose to the grind stone, no time for your own life. Finally, you found the time; then, you made the time.
Oh, a man shall leave his mother, and a woman leave her home.
They will travel on to where the two will be as one.
As it was in the beginning, is now until the end,
woman draws her life from man
and gives it back again and there is love.
Oh, there’s love.
Well then what’s to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it love that brings you here or love that brings you life?
For if loving is the answer then who’s the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you’ve never seen before?
Oh, there’s love. There is love.
And, Ragan, this is the loving that you’ve never seen before… and the wisdom I could give you I have bestowed along the way through loving you and parenting you every single day…
But as you undertake these vows and venture forward through your life, I can pass to you advice that has been shared by every mother before me through our matriarchal line:
“Never meet your partner half way and don’t accept that from him, either. Give him all you have to give, and then give more. You must give 100% of what you have to give and you will find you almost always get more than that back. Ask yourself: Is this in the best interest of Jason and myself? And if it is, you are doing the right thing.”
And my new offering to be added from this generation on: “œLove is not [just] a feeling. Love is [active. It is] an action, an activity. Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom. . . . love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth…..true love is an act of will that transcends the feeling of love.” by Dr. Scott Peck.
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubador is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
for whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
there is love. Oh, there is love.
Welcome to our family, Jason! There is love. oh, there is love. XO
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vMKIVAP8A
What a sweet post. Congratulations to your daughter and son-in-law! May they have many, happy years together.
Beautiful post Valerie, congrats to your entire family, what a wonderful occasion it is to welcome another family member, be it via marriage or birth. Best wishes for the bride and groom!
absolutely nice post!! gloria
So sweet!
Beautiful post, Valerie! Congrats to Ragan and Jason. Love the picture of you and the beautiful bride!
Congratulations to the happy couple. No wonder you have been so busy my girl. Weddings are just the best!
Lovely. Congratulations and best wishes to all.
Congratulations to Ragan and Jason 🙂
Congratulations!!
I got a little teary viewing the life recap in pictures. What a happy day, a beautiful bride and can I just say I love that analogous color scheme in her floral bouquet-my favourite. Oh Happy Day!
Congratulations 😀 😀 😀
May your daughter and her husband have a wonderful life together. Everyone looks so happy and beautiful, you must feel so proud!
This was such a sweet post.
Lots of love and *kisses*
HH
ok, I’m bawling. 🙂 It seems like just yesterday she was that little girl. What a beautiful post Val. I am so glad that her wedding was so perfect! Ragan truly is an angel here on earth. She deserves nothing but happiness and I know she’s found it with Jason. I am so happy for you all.
I love you. oxox
What a wonderful post! Congratulations and it looks like it was a beautiful wedding. Gorgeous flowers and family!
Awwwwwwwh! Beautiful post sweet Val. Congrats to your daughter and now son in law, I do love a good wedding. :)))) Such a happy day, thanks for sharing, xxx
What a beautiful post Valerie, Regan is such a beautiful bride and you looked wonderful, congratulations to Regan wishing her the best and a lifetime of happines.
It was a wonderful wedding and couldn’t have spent it with the best family!!!
Oh, congratulations to the happy couple, and to you!
How lucky this groom is to become united with such a special, loving and vibrant family. Congratulations to all and especially to you Valerie. You did a great job raising these children.
Valerie,
What a beautiful post! “Never meet your partner half way and don’t accept that from him, either. Give him all you have to give, and then give more.” I loved that! Very wise and true words indeeed. Ragan glowed with beauty on her special day and you looked amazing as well. Gorgeous dresses! A huge congratulations to your daughter and son in-law! May they have many more happy years filled with love and laughter.
Big hugs!
LeQuan
Congratulations Valerie, Greater love is it…that a woman will leave mother….Congratulations and thank you for sharing a bit of you!
Congratulations, Valerie! Was looking forward to see the pictures of the marriage. Your daughter is lovely and what a perfect couple they make. Best wishes for both.