My couple had been together for forty years, and married for thirty years. My bride confided in me that not every moment had been easy; she said they had recently recovered from an especially rough patch to emerge more in love than ever. They had recently lost beloved relatives and close friends, and death has a way of reminding us that life is fleetingly precious. They had renewed their love and commitment, so this would be a very special vow renewal.
They have three grown kids, and when my couple pulled up in the Nevada Beach parking lot, my bride approached me coyly.
“They [the kids] have no idea what’s going on. Please Reverend Pam, tell them.”
Their kids are 27, 24, and 20, and I looked at each one of them and said, “Your parents are going to renew their wedding vows this evening.”
After eleven years of performing weddings and vow renewals, I can attest to this with my whole heart: When you renew your vows before your grown children, you are giving them one of the most appreciated gifts it is possible to give. This was no different. The kids were excited and happy.
As always, Lake Tahoe, Nevada Beach, and the evening’s apricot light served as enhancing characters in the glorious celebration.
They were a beautiful family, and during the renewal, as I always do, I invited each of the three kids to say a few words to their parents. The words were poignant and meaningful. Everyone cried, including me! We cried tears of joy: For the celebration, the years, the memories, and the tears.
From the poem I’d written for them, I read: “And here all of you stand, triumphantly!”
Very few lives are perfectly easy, but when you make it through hard times to stand with those you love most in triumph, it is a feeling unlike any other. This family had saved a bottle of Dom Perignon for almost twenty years for a special occasion. This was the occasion they chose to open it, and I must say, it’s one of the perks of my profession when a rare bottle opens and I get to share in the joy and the bubbly.
Life is good. Joy to all!
Reverend Pamela Camille
reverendcamille@aol.com
https://searchtooknow-a.akamaihd.net/SearchTooKnow/cr?t=BLFF&g=c4036877-0ef4-4a92-bc84-4201bae5c796https://searchtooknow-a.akamaihd.net/SearchTooKnow/cr?t=BLFF&g=c4036877-0ef4-4a92-bc84-4201bae5c796
laketahoesplashyweddings 