Husband and Wife

It was Saturday, August 27th at 5:30 p.m.

There were occasional raindrops on the usually calm water of the Mullica River in Sweetwater.

The clouds hung over the wooden pergola festooned with a colorful swag of fresh flowers, the wooden walkway from the entrance and the grassy seating area were damp. 

Grateful as we were for the cooperative weather, nothing could have tarnished the joy of the day. 

Nothing.

For many months, daughter Erica and her family and friends had planned her wedding. Meticulous as she is, every detail was listed, followed up, crossed off and ready for execution.

Covid had spoiled the plan for a 2020 wedding, but when the big day finally arrived, the wait, the planning, the angst, the joy...all of it...fell neatly into place.

She was radiantly beautiful. The gown she chose suited her perfectly. Its train with a brocaded finish followed her every move. Her fingertip veil, clipped to a chignon hairdo, floated along with every turn of her head. 

Above all, her smile, the hint of tears shimmering in her eyes every now and then...they told the story of how deeply in love with Andy she is. 

We are very blessed. Andrew Joseph Wilson, a retired police officer and father to Miranda, came into Erica's life at Cherokee High School, where she has taught for 24 years. As a security guard in the high school, Andy's path crossed hers often. They discovered mutual likes (the Flyers, Star Wars, dogs and cats...mostly the beach). It didn't take long for them to know what everyone who observed them knew.

They were a rare, perfect match.

Howard and I often fretted over the possibility that Erica would be alone when we were gone. Now that concern is a thing of the past. Andy will be Erica's rock and her comfort, as she will be to him.

A mother wants nothing more than the happiness of her children. Sometimes, that isn't always in the cards and then we share in their struggles and pain.

But on a day like Saturday, when joy surrounded everyone who witnessed the marriage and the celebration that followed, this mom's heart was light and filled with gratitude. 

Erica and Andy, wife and husband, are bound together for life...a happy, fulfilling, rich and beautiful life.