Lucy Rose and Sheldon's Wedding

Twelve years ago, a missionary family of five moved to our little town of Frydlant. They spent their first few nights at our house.

And a lifetime friendship was born between our families.

Fast forward through twelve years of life. Last evening we were in St. Charles, Illinois at the wedding of Lucy Rose Till, the daughter of Paul and Sharon who moved with their family to serve at BMA, the high school our kids attended in Frydlant.

Lucy Rose graduated from a Czech high school in Ostrava, and then left for Wheaton College three years ago. It was there she met the man who would become her husband.

Last evening, on one of the hottest nights I've ever experienced, we all forgot about humidity and heat for an hour as we witnessed a truly meaningful and lovely wedding.

Wearing her grandmother and her mom's dress, Lucy Rose was a radiant bride as she walked on her dad's arm to meet her groom, Sheldon.

With his dad officiating, they pledged their love and commitment to each other as the sun set over the Fox River.

With bridesmaids from Czech (Claire being one of them!), Wheaton College and her life as a young girl in Chicago before they moved to Czech, they, along with Sheldon's groomsmen, stood alongside the couple for the ceremony.

There were so many touching moments, like Scripture reading in Czech by a friend who travelled from Czech to be there. Actually THREE of Lucy's closest friends from her high school in Ostrava came to be there for her. SO dear!!

Lucy Rose's brother, Patrick, wrote a delightfully hilarious song for the couple that brought many smiles, chuckles and outright laughter!

And Lucy Rose's dad gave the most beautiful blessing over Lucy Rose and Sheldon.

And with the sun casting its last glow over the couple, they sealed their marriage with a kiss.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Campbell!

Later in the evening, a brother shared thoughts about Sheldon and called him Mr. Happy, which is so true. So here are Mr. and MRS Happy! :)

Lucy Rose's grandparents from Texas were not able to attend the wedding, but a dear, computer whiz friend, who also came all the way from Frydlant, figured out how to Skype them in for the entire ceremony. They're saying hello right after it finished. This is one of my favorite photos of the evening!

One of Lucy Rose's bridesmaids created the cake that they ate together as the evening faded into night. It was gorgeous.

Soon afterward, Lucy Rose and Sheldon were toasted with beautiful thoughts from friends and family, and then danced into the evening with those same dear ones.

And finally, everyone gathered the lanterns from the tables and carried them to the bridge across the Fox River. We waited on both sides and watched as Lucy Rose and Sheldon passed through to our claps of joy and well wishes as they headed to the other side of the bridge by themselves, into the beginning of their new life together.

It was SUCH a lovely wedding, and I'm so thankful the Lord made it possible for me to be there to watch my "adopted niece" of twelve years enter into a lifetime of love and companionship with her dear husband!