The wedding was just as perfect as I expected. The chairs were lined up, the dresses all fit, and the flowers were all in place. Hair and makeup finalized, tables set, and photographer all ready to capture the moments. All the stress was being lifted and the mood lightened. Excitement filled the air between the lovebirds and everyone else who had joined in their previous experiences and knew just how special this marriage was going to be.
What had happened before they had entered into their relationship makes the world of difference in this situation...at least in my eyes. I have known Zack for over 12 years now and have shared in his heartaches and cried along side him through the pain of his previous marriage. I watched him be disrespected, underappreciated, abused, ignored and to put it simply, not loved for far too long. This had left him abandoned, alone, and crying out for mercy and understanding. I know that these kinds of things really broke God's heart. He does not like to see his children in such pain. It broke my heart so much and I am sure God hated it.
A crazy custody battle, divorce, and a few tears later, along came Chrissy...all in God's perfect timing. I met Chrissy at some meetings in getting prepared to launch City Hope. We instantly became friends and I loved having her around. Her smile was so natural and she has a sweet demeanor. We had hung out a few times and I always joked about knowing someone that I had in mind for her whenever she breaks up with her current boyfriend (Who is a very close friend of mine, lol).
When I say perfect, I truly mean God's PERFECT timing. I love to tell the story of the first time they had really ever talked. Chrissy and I were standing in the hallway at City Hope chatting and Zack comes over to talk to us. A little small talk about iPads and other stuff and all of a sudden, it was like I didn't even exist. I swear they forgot I was standing there. ;) It was adorable. There were sparks....I'm not even lying. I knew right then and there that the universe had aligned and it was beautiful. Okay, all corniness aside, it really was awesome to experience that. I love love...especially for someone I have seen in pain for so long. The thought of a girl loving him unconditionally and the way a wife should just gave me butterflies. Who better than Chrissy? She is just perfect! I knew that Zack was going to truly treasure her and hold her above all else, too.
Hearing their vowes to each other this weekend just gave me chills and overwhelmed all of us. They were so genuine. Everyone in the room knew that they meant it. They really were vowing those things to each other. I started thinking about how weird life is and about all previous relationships and how they play into our current ones. I realized something very beautiful while they were sharing their first dance. All of the things that their previous significant others didn't like about them is what they absolutely adore about each other. God is just so cool the way he works things out that way. Things that we have maybe had some part in messing up or bad things that have happened to us, He turns for good. Realllllly good. It was a beautiful picture of grace.
Enjoy a few highlights!
My super hott date.
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