On this day four years ago, I was barely keeping it together.

I was curling my sister’s hair in my aunt’s Mexican master bath in anticipation for her meeting her groom at the altar.  I thought back to all of the moments that we played together as kids.  I remember talking and dreaming about who our husbands would be.  I remember thinking that her future groom exceeded all of those expectations.

The soon to be Mrs. Crosby in front…me attempting not to cry in the back.

Both my sister and her future husband had waited for this moment for four years.  Their relationship made it through distance and time and was stronger than ever on this day: May 22, 2010.  It was only fitting that their ceremony was a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas.  They both entered their union prayerfully and expectantly that the Lord would bless their patience and persistence in seeking him first and each other second.

Pre-ceremony prayer

After my sister got her makeup on, her sweet friend (and one-woman glam squad), attempted to put my face on…but the tears would not stop flowing.  The chardonnay did not help. My beautiful sister was going to marry the man of her dreams.

“Ok.  It’s got to stop.” Jessica sweetly suggested I take a minute to collect myself.

As my sister walked down the aisle toward her groom, I held the hand of my boyfriend, Steven.  There was something very special about my date to my sister’s wedding.  I knew that I wanted to pledge my life to him as it was the first relationship I had that was like that of my sister and Brad: one focused completely on the will of the Lord.  As I watched the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen, I squeezed his hand tighter for support.  I was going to need him to attempt to stop these tears from flowing freely.

The wedding

Benediction

After a short ceremony (and one passionate first kiss as bride and groom), it was done.  I had a new brother and my sister had a new husband.

New addition to the Twiss family

Happy fourth anniversary to my sister and brother-in-law.  Cannot wait to see what the next four years bring for the two of you!