Whoever wants a rose must respect the thorn...
...So the saying goes. The imagery that Claire and Colton chose for their wedding showed their awareness of that truth. They know that some of the most beautiful moments in life come with hardship and pain, while some of the most painful events in life can germinate hope and beauty. After they said their vows, Claire and Colton tied a knot together, strands of rope attached to a cross, the ultimate image of painful sacrifice motivated by love, yielding beauty for the flourishing of the beloved. The emotion during their whole day was palpable. During the ceremony, there was hardly a dry eye as their closest friends and family got to celebrate Claire and Colton’s journeys which brought them both to this sacred altar.
So, Claire and Colton,
Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration. I treasure the fact that I got to be the photographer for your wedding day!
May you both constantly seek the One who endured thorns and much worse to show His relentless love.
May the Lord strengthen you to love each other relentlessly.
May the Lord sustain you as you parent the four wonderful souls in your care; they are precious.
May you always remember the song you used for your first dance:
"...Maybe life's not what I thought it’d be.
It's nothing like my childhood fantasies.
It's harder than I could've known,
But higher than my hopes could float
and better than I ever could've dreamed.
More villains and sad endings I suppose,
but I'll take the thorns for this beautiful rose."
~ from Beautiful Rose, by Sean McConnell
