For Stephanie, On Her Wedding Day

To Steph:

Remember when I was back—it was the summer of 2009, and I felt like you didn’t let me out of your sight.

I recall watching you from your bed, before you climbed in and we slept, like sisters do. I commented on how we were a pair. You said something about being “best friends,” which I didn’t let into my being—instead, it bounced off my own wall of protection, a wall I didn’t know had been created.

“You know, we better pray you get married before I do,” I commented.

You turned to me, a look of semi-hurt in your eyes, your jaw dropped open.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, if I get married first, you would be…too affected. Unable to let me go.”

You chuckled, I tried to assure you, in my naïveté, that it didn’t really matter.

The thing is, you did let me go when I went to South America. And I didn’t understand at the time, but I do now: It doesn’t matter who leaves first, or who gets married first, because it is always very hard to let someone go.

So I write this now in the knowledge that I was wrong: You would indeed have been the strong one had God given me someone “first.” Instead, He now grows me in learning not only to trust Him, but to depend on Him in this time. Perhaps you saw the roots of these lessons come up in your own life while I was away…

So it turns out I’m not as “strong” as I thought. It turns out, it is very hard for me to let you go.

I know you’ll be here. I know we’re still wonderful friends. I know this because of Jesus and what He does when He binds sisters together who don’t share blood—it’s only in Him that I love you so much.

When the calls started coming to Peru from Georgia about this guy, I knew pretty quickly that Dane was the one for you. In fact, at the risk of boasting, I think I had this gut-feeling the first time you called to tell me about him. So, needless to say, I’ve had time to prepare.

In this time, I’ve discovered a few things:
I barely know Dane; however, the first time I met him, I saw how he looked at you. It was absolute love. Then, I began to recognize honor, protection, and respect. I’m so thankful God has brought you into marriage with such a man. I praise Jesus for Dane.

If I have to give you away, I can’t think of a better person you belong with. I can’t think of a better best friend for you.

I just ask that you keep me in mind. I will always, always keep you in my heart, Steph.