Two Years Already?

Aaron and Anna,

We wish you God's richest blessings as you move into your third year of marriage. I think the two of you would like this quote found by your sister, Daria, in Joshua Harris' Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship:

"A marriage that isn't built around the Cross will be devoid of grace, mercy, and humility that come when both husband and wife recognize their need for a savior."

May your marriage always imitate Christ's sacrificial love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, may you build your marriage around the cross and strive to out-serve one another!

With much love,
Dad and Mom

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!

A Love Story in Photos: Part 13

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

My prayer for the two of you:

"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will..." (Hebrews 13:20,21a NASB)

Much love,

Mumsie

A Love Story in Photos, Part 5

Mrs. Beaver:

"Wives, see to it that you respect your husbands."

Ephesians 5:33

Wedding Dress...Parachute-Style

Mrs. Beaver:

I'm inserting this photo of the bride, Anna, in the midst of the bride-and-groom series because the picture was taken during the duo's session.

On the day of the wedding, I wasn't nearby to watch the propping of Anna's gown in preparation for the photo. However, judging from her grin the effort to get the dress to sit just right must have been gotten all involved laughing.

As Anna's mom, I treasure this photograph as one of those rare ones that truly captures a personality.

From the time Anna could smile as a baby--she did. And not only did she smile, but she laughed--a lot. From her toddlerhood through her teen years, she blessed our family with an ability to see the humor in situations where others would have missed it. In addition, she blessed us because she was humble enough to frequently see herself as a reason for the giggles. Her very happy personality is one of the countless reasons we give thanks to God for her birthmother, who sacrificed what would have been easier and more convenient to herself and gave life to Anna instead. To think how easily she could have been aborted...

I miss Anna's happy-hearted, joyful personality now that she's living several states away. I'm grateful to God that she has a man who appreciates her smile and laugh and sees them as gifts from the Lord. I'm also grateful to God that I have this very special photo that captures an aspect of the true Anna so beautifully.

A Love Story in Photos, Part 11

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

The last time I posted a photo of Aaron and Anna on their wedding day, I included some of my reasons for continuing to share these pictures months after they were married.

I have yet another couple of reasons.

First, we're aware that many of our blog's readers are young people. From the moment Aaron and Anna entered their courtship, they declared that they wanted the details published on this blog. They hoped their experience might encourage other young adults that there is another way to find a lifetime love versus the prevalent American practice of dating and breaking up, dating and breaking up, dating and break up, dating and...

Second, Aaron and Anna also hope in any small way they can to participate in redefining the word "love" in our culture. Everywhere we turn, from music to movies, love is portrayed as a feeling to be sought after in order to feel good. Aaron and Anna (as well as both sets of parents) are determined to define love as a self-sacrificing, self-denying, self-abandoning choice to do what is best for the other person, whether he or she is deserving or not. Love defined this way--the biblical way--endures.

Obviously, Aaron and Anna are only at the very beginning of what those of us who've been married for almost any length of time know will be a soul-stretching challenge. Still, I post these photos knowing that they're not trying to love in this anti-cultural way in their own strength. They were united on March 19 in power of Christ. In that reality lies our confident hope that Aaron and Anna will spend decades dieing to self, even when its hard, to the blessing and benefit of their spouse, strengthening--and beautifying--their marriage as they do.

A Love Story in Photos, Part 10

Mrs. Beaver:

A friend asked why I'm still posting photos of Anna and Aaron's wedding when it was more than three months ago. It was a good question, worth pondering.

After some heart searching, I find that at least part of my reason is that each time I scroll through the photos that Therese and Lauren took looking for my next post, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to God for the wonderful thing he has done in the life of my oldest child. I'm amazed at His goodness. I'm in awe of His grace and mercy at giving Anna and Aaron to each other. I find I love the Lord more with each wedding photo I post. He has been so faithful to our family.

There is another reason I'm still posting pictures of the bride and groom. I really miss Anna! She is a dear friend. Getting to see her in these photos does admittedly stir up the grieving, but, as the saying goes, "It hurts good."

I also miss my new son, Aaron. I really like the guy and wish I could spend more time with him! It's amazing to see how God can knit together two families.

All that said, here's yet another picture taken before the group photos the afternoon of the wedding:

A Love Story in Photos, Part 9: A Cinematic Approach

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

"Shout joyfully, all the earth;

Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises."

(Psalm 98:4)

A Love Story in Photos, Part 8

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

 "A joyful heart is good medicine."

(Proverbs 17:22)

Aaron and Anna,

May God bless the two of you with much laughter during your years as husband and wife. Shared laughter in a marriage is medicinal, giving strength and endurance to the union. Make time to play together, as well as work together.

With much love, Mumsie 

A Love Story in Photos, Part 7

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

Our hearts cry out to God, lifting up this blessing on behalf of the newlyweds:

"Now the God of peace,

who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep

through the blood of the eternal covenant,

even Jesus our Lord,

equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in [you] that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

(Hebrews 13:20-21)

A Love Story in Photos, Part 6: The Elevator Series

Mrs. Beaver:

The century-old church where Aaron and Anna were married, has an elevator worthy of the aged structure. Photographers, Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante, made good use of the rickety ride. The bride and groom have told us they had great fun posing in this unusual setting.

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

"I love the Lord, because He hears

My voice and supplications.

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."

(Psalm 116:1-2)

A Love Story in Photos, Part 5

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna -- March 19, 2011

(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

(James 1:17)

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)

A Love Story in Photos, Part 2

Mrs. Beaver:

(Photography by Therese Miller and Lauren LaPlante Photography)

To God be the Glory! Our great God be praised!

A Love Story in Photos, Part 1

Mrs. Beaver:

Once the groom experienced his first sight of his bride, the photographers concentrated on getting photos of just Aaron and Anna before the traditional wedding group shots. Our photographers, Therese and Lauren, were masters at capturing the love, respect, spiritual unity, adoration, joy and just plain fun that makes up their relationship. To God be the glory!

My plan is to share these pictures that tell the tale of a real love story come to life through God's goodness one at a time. I know that as mother-of-the bride, I'm partial, but I think many of these photographs are beautiful masterpieces.

First Sight

Mrs. Beaver:

Aaron and Anna wanted to have the wedding photos taken before the ceremony. At the same time, they didn't want to lose the special moment of the groom getting his first glimpse of his bride as she came down the aisle. To solve this dilemma, they planning a "First Sight." This meant that a couple hours before the wedding, Anna would walk down the aisle to her waiting groom. The only others in the room were the two photographers and the two sets of parents.

In this first photo, Aaron eagerly awaits his beloved. As Anna slowly sweeps down the aisle to the man of her dreams, we get to see her anticipation growing as she gets closer and closer.

Can't you just feel him straining for the sound of each foot fall as he awaits his princess?

The caption here would have to be, "Well....?"

After they'd greeted one another, Anna and Aaron's first act was to pray together.