Prayers Answered: Wedding Bells

Yesterday was a happy and blessed moment for our family. Our older daughter, J, got remarried. Joining our family is our new son-in-law, R, and our new granddaughter, K. They were married at the home of a good friend of ours.

J's short-lived first marriage was not a very good one. Probably the only positive thing out of it was our grandson. R, on the other hand, has never been married but he did father a daughter from a previous relationship (which is still very amicable).

We have watched our daughter go from a bad marriage to a couple of bad relationships with other losers. But R is different. I liked him the moment I met him, and I've been very impressed with how he treats not only his daughter, but our grandson as well.

It wasn't love at first sight - at least for J. In fact, she called him "the Stalker." But R persisted in his gentle way, and eventually won her over.

For years I had prayed for J to make the right choices in life. I prayed for her happiness. When R came into the picture, I prayed this would be turn out well. Those prayers got turned up a notch after he proposed to her on Valentine's Day this year. All of these prayers have been answered.

It is also interesting to note how far we have come along over the years. My wife, too, experienced divorce when the girls were quite young. Naturally, there has been animosity between her, her ex-husband, his new wife, and to some extent, myself. But regardless of what has happened over the years, time has healed many wounds. This particular meeting was the most amicable ever - even friendly. And I must say that this event has given me a profound sense of peace.

I have known my stepdaughter J for fifteen years now. She was an angry child, and in adulthood she faced substantial disappointments. I have to admit that yesterday as I danced with her, I choked up in telling her this was happiest I have ever seen her.

The photo above is one of my favorites. R's brother J was best man, and J's sister E was maid of honor. And the two new step-siblings, K and J, were flower girl and ringbearer, respectively. Aren't my girls cute? Aren't my grandkids cute? My son-in-law ain't too bad, either.

My prayer now is that this new family that was created yesterday will prosper and flourish for a very long time.