The wedding was being held at my daughter’s future in-laws’ cottage. When they got engaged, Libby and Brian, her fiancé, said they would handle all the costs. This was good because after three years of my husband being unemployed, we were financially drained. We could give the couple a little bit of money for their wedding, but not much. This wasn’t the case for Brian’s parents. They were very generous with both time and funds to make the day special.

When we arrived at the cottage—really a lakeside mansion on expansive grounds—the day before the wedding, everything was done and perfect. Sadness filled me as I realized how little I was needed for Libby’s special day.

I knew that it was only natural for Brian’s parents to have been so involved in the preparations. It was at their home and they wanted everything to be just right for this special occasion. Also, because the cottage was quite a distance away from both the bride and groom and us, it was easier for his parents to handle the details of booking the caterer, the florist, the DJ, etc. Still, I was depressed. I didn’t even feel like the mother of the bride.

I hid my feelings and pasted on a smile. My smile remained even during the rain shower the next morning. “Everything will be fine,” I assured Libby. With these words, I sent a fervent prayer to God to take away the rain. Shortly afterwards, the rain stopped. The clouds, however, continued to fill the sky.

Right before the ceremony, when the final flower was placed in Libby’s hair, she began to cry. I took my precious daughter in my arms to soothe what I thought was nervousness.

“I’m not crying because I’m nervous,” Libby offered. “I know how difficult it has been for you and dad because you haven’t been able to pay for much of the wedding expenses or help with all the details,” she said. Then my beautiful daughter uttered the words that will last a lifetime. “Please know that you and dad have given me the world every day of my life. This is just one day,” she said as she held me tightly.

While still in an embrace, I offered a silent heartfelt prayer. Please, dear God, let there be sunshine in my heart and sunshine in the sky. At that very moment, the sun came out and true joy filled my heart.

The sun remained and spread its warmth as everyone, especially me, shared in the happiness of the beautiful couple who were joined in marriage on a flower-filled site overlooking the sparkling blue waters of White Lake in Montague, Michigan. Everything truly was perfect!