The date and time was set over a year ago. I'm pretty sure its safe to say the place was decided 21 years ago, (if you've read my previous blogs you will know that my family is obsessed with EVERYTHING Disney), from the day my little sister, Amelia, was born I don't think there has ever been a doubt she would be married in Disney World. And up until 8 months ago there never would have been a question on whether I would attend the wedding. Then the World Race came into the picture, and the fact I had surrendered my obsession with Disney to God. So when I broke the news to the family I would not be attending the wedding it was no surprise the grief I received. But the bride said she understood so that's all the confirmation I needed not to go.
The one area I did slightly struggle with, the closer time to the wedding came was, the groom, Andrew, is a Marine (I'm very proud of him for that) but he would be taking my sister away…which meant when Amelia left for the wedding I wouldn't see her again before I left for the Race. Growing up we were never really close, but over the past year or so we have become closer…so now there would be no more lunch dates or middle of the night runs to Walmart or to random stores that had clearance items I needed for the Race.
A week before the wedding, I was talking to a friend about everything I was feeling about the wedding and not seeing Amelia again….and well…..next thing I knew we had booked a plane ticket to Orlando! I didn't want Amelia to know I was coming until I got there, but I know my family, and secrets don't exist. Her voice on the phone when I told her I would be coming was PRICELESS!
The bride and groom were beautiful. Watching her walk down the aisle I realized for the first time the woman she had become…she wasn't this annoying little sister anymore. Watching my dad hand over his baby girl to the man of her dreams is quite possibly the saddest thing I've ever watched; and not just because he had cried ALL morning. (I cried, but I hid myself behind the camera so no one noticed…now that I have admitted it to the whole world). The wedding was beautiful, and will be talked about for a few years, and Andrew and Amelia will never forget that day. But the marriage is the real story. How they live their lives together, and raise their family is what really matters. So my prayer is they continue to keep God the center of their individual lives and the center and focus of their marriage.
That night we had dinner in Cinderella's castle. We said our goodbyes to the newly weds and everybody went their separate ways to ride a few last rides, get good seats for the parade and fireworks, or back to our rooms. I fought tears back the best I could but leaving the park that night was confirmation my little sister isn't so little anymore, and as hard as it was to say "see ya later" to her it is just the first of many to come over the next 2 months. (God give me strength!!)
The time I spent with Amelia, and my cousin Emily, that weekend were priceless. Both those girls have grown up so fast it amazes me and makes me sad. But I am very proud of the young women they have become, and their Biblical morals they stand on. I thank God for the time I got to spend with them this weekend. There are roughly 62 days before launch (give or take a day) and I know without the wedding I would not have been able to have spent that much quality time with either one of them.
The best part of the weekend, spiritually speaking, was the drive to downtown Disney. No one else in the car even realized it, a message directly from God meant just for me. "Enjoy this time with your biological earthly family that I have given you. But don't get comfortable in it, don't revert back to your worldly gods." The song playing on the radio…my favorite song ever. A song I never get tired of hearing because it makes my heart smile and brings comfort and conviction all at the same time.
"Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside…All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong."
