I pulled up to the beautiful Crooked River State Park in South Georgia, and was immediately greeted by the brother of the Bride. As I walked into the reception hall, family members were bustling around adding last minute touches. I walked outside to the ceremony area and immediately noticed three chairs in the front row. Atop each chair was a photo and a white rose. This display of love for family members that were no longer with us moved me to tears.
It was a common theme that I noticed throughout the day: Family. The entire day was filled with love and laughter. There was an incredible support for the Bride and Groom from both sides of the aisle. There was no his family or her family... it was simply family.
As we entered the reception hall, Krisy and Niko began their first dance as husband and wife. They laughed and held each other close.
Next came the father/daughter, mother/son dances. But just as the mother/son dance ended, Krisy came back to the front with tears in her eyes and a quiet voice. She explained that her step-father that she had had for many years of her life had passed away suddenly years before, and she wasn't able to dance with him on her wedding day. In his place, her little brother came to her side, took her hand, and danced. There was not a dry eye in the entire building. One thing played over and over in my mind. He would have been so proud.
Niko and Krisy have a playful kind of love. They are the best of friends. There is no shy awkwardness between them. Their love story has been building for years, standing the test of time, and now they finally get to call each other husband and wife.
It was an honor to be a part of their wedding day.
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Cruz!
