Happy 5th Anniversary, Aaron and Anna!

Five years ago today, Aaron and Anna wed.

Their relationship had started as a friendship in an online group setting through college. The next step was a courtship where both sets of parents played a role in encouraging and advising them.

By the time of their marriage, Aaron and Anna's friendship was already rich and deep.

That friendship was marked by the ability they share to this day to laugh easily together.

After the initial photos, it was time. Anna and her bridesmaids were ready.

And Anna's daddy was ready to walk his little girl down the aisle.

So much joy marked the ceremony...

...and yet the young couple understood the solemnity of the vows they were making before God, family and friends.

This was Aaron and Anna's first kiss. They had waited until the alter for this relationship milestone.

By the end of the ceremony, the two had become one. On the way out of the church, they stopped to hug the parents who'd raised them for this very day.

Aaron's parents have played such a key role in the couple's five years together. Ric and Tina live about 10 minutes from the younger Nix family, and they have sacrificially served Anna and Aaron and their three little girls (with a fourth child on the way!). We thank God for Aaron's loving parents who are now our dear friends!

We exited the sanctuary as two parents overwhelmed with God's goodness!

So many friends and family came to join in our family's grand celebration.

Before heading to the reception, the wedding party had a blast taking this photo in front of the gorgeous theater in which Anna had been blessed to play violin for the local symphony orchestra.

Five years ago. Anna and Aaron were new to dancing with one another. Now dancing is in an important part of keeping their marriage fresh and fun thanks to dance lessons. They also love to play long, involved strategy games together. Anna even wins...sometimes. They've developed and invested in a number of shared interests. At five years their unity in Christ and devotion to each other is beautiful to behold! As I mentioned, they also love the shared adventure of parenting. Their little girls are 3-1/2, 2-1/2 and 9 months old. Aaron and Anna are eagerly welcoming children as the Lord blesses them with each gift.

This is one of my favorite photos from Anna's big day. Anna grew up in a close, tender relationship with her daddy. Letting her go was hard for him!

The day Anna met her birthmother
(Anna was 18)

I'm going to bring this post to an end in a way you might not expect. Our need to "let go" of Anna as she married wasn't the first or most crucial "letting go" in our oldest daughter's life. You see, we adopted Anna Mackenzie at birth. We praise God that her 20-year-old birthmother chose life instead of abortion for Anna. She sacrificially made an adoption plan for the little one growing inside her. We were the incredibly blessed parents she chose to raise her precious daughter. So Anna's very life began with a loving "letting go" by a brave woman we love dearly. On the 5th anniversary of our shared daughter, we give tribute to the woman who gave life to Aaron's wife. She's our hero!

In-Laws

Mrs. Beaver:

Anna and Aaron's first anniversary is just around the corner in mid-March. Their love story was recently featured on Scribbles n'Things.

Before this year passes, I want to thank God for one of the great blessings in our daughter's new life in Ohio--her in-laws. The Nix are a Christ-loving family. They've welcomed our Anna warmly. They've included Anna in their close-knit unit. Anna and Aaron go to their home once a week for dinner and a game or movie. Ric and Tina model what strong marriage looks like before the newlyweds; Aaron's parents bring the stability of having been married for more than 31 years.

Here they are at the wedding rehearsal.

All photo credits to Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography

This is one of my favoirte photos from the wedding. What a joy for the mother-of-the-bride to see her daughter's soon-to-be mother-in-law beam at her just before the ceremony!

Lighting the "unity candle" was completely sincere in this ceremony. The four parents were unified in their belief that the Lord was creating a beautiful, one-flesh, till-death-do-we-part marriage.

Toward the end of the ceremony, the four parents rose from the pews to pray over our children's union. This idea came from our friends Krista and George. George grew up in Nigeria, where a prayer by the parents is a traditional part of the ceremony.

Ric's tenderness in hugging his new daughter-in-law immediately after the ceremony was beautiful.

Unbeknownst to Tina and Aaron, I was watching their interactions during our time together. I knew from my own experience that if a man treats his mom well, there is a good chance he'll also love and honor his wife.

The affection and gentleness I saw in Aaron when he and his mom had a few moments "alone", reassured me that Anna would be cherished by him. In the past year, our new son-in-love has certainly lived up to my unscientific predictions.

Mr. Beaver and I approach Anna and Aaron's first anniversary deeply grateful to God for Aaron's parents, Ric and Tina. They've offered ongoing support to these two young marrieds. Just last night, Ric and Tina picked up Aaron and Anna following an auto accident as their car was towed. Anna's in-laws are a dream come true! And, soon, we'll share the role of grandparents with these dear people! God is good!

Happy 21st Birthday!

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver:

Twenty-one years ago God answered our prayers with an amazing gift… Anna Mackenzie!!

We had been childless and wanting for more than 6 years. We were hurting deeply and losing hope. Then, from the most unexpected quarter, God blessed us with the one I (Mr. Beaver) called “the little peepster” (in reference to the wonderful little peeps she made in the back seat of our car when we drove home with her for the very first time).

Anna is one of the many proofs in our lives that God hears our cries and answers with mercy beyond anything we could ever deserve.

“Who is like the Lord our God,

Who is enthroned on high…

He raises the poor from the dust

And lifts the needy from the ash heap…

He makes the barren woman abide in the house

As a joyful mother of children.”

Ps 113:5, 7, 9

And this year our blessing was multiplied as our beloved Anna married the husband of her dreams, a godly young man who will lead her, protect her, and shepherd her heart. We give thanks to God for Aaron as well as Anna.

God does indeed make beautiful things from dust!

We love you, Anna Mackenzie! Happy birthday, beloved daughter!

Dad and Mom

A Love Story in Photos, Part 4

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

"...the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
(Psalm 116:7b)

 

A Love Story in Photos, Part 3

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting
(Psalm 118:1)

"First Sight"

Aaron & photograher, Lauren LePlante

Mrs. Beaver:

As a way of dealing with the dilemma of wanting to take some photos of the bride and groom before the wedding but still wanting the groom to get the "ahhhhhhh!" experience of seeing his bride at the altar for the first time, Aaron and Tessa did what is called a "First Sight."

The sanctuary was empty, except for photographers who were busy taking photos of the moment. The four parents were also allowed to watch this most precious, virtually sacred moment transpire between their children. Aaron had his back to Tessa as she walked down the aisle. With her long train spread across the red carpet runner as she slowly traversed, the long sanctuary, I was reminded of the marriage scene in "The Sound of Music."

He turned just as she reached him. We allowed them several minutes of "aloneness" to savor each other and to relish the wonder that TODAY was their day.

Meanwhile the two photographers were busy taking photos, and I got a few in also. Most of mine had a slight blur to them as I shook a bit as I watched this precious scene unfold between two people I love so much who were about to become one flesh.

When Tessa finally reached Aaron, their delight in one another filled the silent room.

Mr. Beaver and I appreciate how gentle and tender Aaron is with our precious daughter.

Just before the photographers began the pre-wedding photography blitz,

I was blessed to catch this sweet exchange.