So Brooke and I were married on August 10. Wow! It was such a phenomenal day. To have your family and friends there alongside you as you join your life together with this other amazing person...it is not overrated. It is quite an experience.

At the rehearsal dinner we had this great time of sharing stories. Several friends and family of ours got up and told funny, meaningful, and at times tear-inducing anecdotes. It was very special!

Then later that evening I had a chance to hang out with all of my groomsmen while Brooke had her bachelorette party. I am continually blown away by my friends. They are amazing men and I love each of them! My dad and Mark Schmerse were my best men. My groomsmen were Richie Brannon, Justin Easley, Keith Jagger, Jared Osborne, and Max Shutt. Jesus said that "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." These guys make that almost too easy for me.

Brooke and I's hope for the wedding was that it would be a graceful collision of casual and classy. I think somehow we pulled it off (thanks a lot to our parents who poured so much into this great day). It was outside, surrounded by large trees which must surely have their own stories to tell. That day they offered us some much needed shade. The bridal party looked sharp but also comfortable. Our minister Keith Drury, long-time friend and mentor for both Brooke and myself, shared insightful words of wisdom, and was also incredibly witty. (Thanks Coach! It wouldn't have been the same without you!) Our music ranged from Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner to Norah Jones and U2.

From my perspective, I didn't expect to get emotional. It just doesn't usually happen. But when Brooke was walking down the aisle, one parent on each arm, I was overcome with emotion. There she was in all her radiant beauty. The woman that God had entrusted to me. The woman that He had called me to serve, love, and cherish...to give myself to. And did I mention how beautiful she looked?!

I'll share a couple neat lines from our ceremony with you. Keith asked me, "Paul, will you have Brooke to be your wife, and will you give yourself to her, in all love and honor, in all grace and faithfulness, to live with her and cherish her, in accordance with the heart of God?" That is an inspiring yet challenging question. I responded with, "I will". Now less than two weeks later, my main ambition is to live out that two word declaration. "I will." I will have you as my wife Brooke ;-) I will give myself to you and cherish you - even when my selfish desires try to get in the way...my desire and prayer will be to follow the heart of God in loving you with everything that I've got.

A phrase from our vows went like this, "Wherever our journey takes us". I smile thinking about journeying with Brooke. We've already road tripped across a good portion of the US together a couple times, we've explored Puerto Rico's jungles and beaches, we've spent a lovely evening together in Mexico. But "journey" captures so much more than wide-eyed trips and adventures. We will journey together in our faith, parenthood, hardships, accomplishments, and everything inbetween. I've got the best travel companion for such a trek ;-) I love you babe!

Labels: wedding