Generations

I realized the other day that I have yet to share my personal approach to the ceremony and how I’ve decided to walk down the aisle.

I won’t delve too far in but my parents divorced when I was young and my dad moved out to Arizona while I grew up with my mom in Michigan. My mom and I are extremely close – she was an incredible mother, example and support and now she’s an advisor, rock and more than anything, best friend. I’m so blessed to have the relationship that I do with her and I am grateful everyday that I had her to look up to while I was growing up. The sacrifices she made, gave me the best life possible.

With my dad living so far away, I would fly out to visit a few times a year and eventually when I graduated high school, I saw it as an opportunity to move out west, spend more time with my dad and go to Arizona State. So, that’s exactly what I did.

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This may sound odd, but with the relationship that I had with my mom, I had always pictured her walking me down the aisle. I know that traditionally it’s supposed to be the father but it really never seemed like the right fit. Unfortunately, that decision was made for me. Just a few days before I graduated ASU my dad passed away. It was a very big shock and he was far too young to have gone so soon. The sadness has eased slightly with time but it’s never easy to lose someone you love.

I’ve been blessed with an incredible mother and she was blessed with an incredible mother – my Grammie. I’m extremely close to my grandmother, I have spent more nights than I can remember at her house. We go there for every holiday, birthday and special occasion. She is the heart of our family and one of the most important people in my life. She is strong, funny, independent, stubborn, enjoys cooking/entertaining and loves to dance. If I didn’t know that I was describing her, I’d think it was me.

As I’ve gone through the wedding process, I’ve realized how my initial gut feeling of having my mom walk me down the aisle has continually rang true and it lead me to the decision that I wanted nothing more than to have the two women who have shown me the best example of who I could be, to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day. I also plan to have a memorial for my dad (along with other loved ones who have passed).

My biggest concern is how emotional it will be to have both of them on my arm and even now, I’m tearing up thinking about looking into their eyes when we arrive at the end of the aisle. Their support has always meant the world to me and this day wouldn’t be complete without this special moment with them.

Could they be any more fun?

So, Mom, Grammie, I love you both more than I can possibly say. Thank you for all that you have done to support me and for the unconditional love you have given me.

Are you planning an unconventional approach to your walk down the aisle?