Wedding

I curled her locks

and for the first time asked her to zip my dress.

I let her blink blink on some mascara

and circled her cheek apples with pink.

Chasing her brother,

"Do you think I look pretty?" she squealed.

And suddenly she was seventeen it seemed.

Ankles turned in, bug bitten armpit and all.

It was months of previewing appropriate flower girl behavior on YouTube, brainstorming any and all rewards otherwise known as bribes for a successfully tear-free trek, 

this afternoon celebrating our dear cousin was much anticipated 

and much outside my sweet little introvert's comfort zone.

But pretty little girl took it all in stride,

even seemed to relish her special shining time.

And our prayers were answered,

her momma

and her daddy might've been a little proud,

because she made it down the aisle.

And married they were.

It's a special thing mommying her,

remembering the way I loved my momma and grandmomma as a little girl

they were so warm and cuddly and safe and lovely

and now even more so.

And so,

proudly giddy,

we went off to celebrate.

The beautiful mother of the bride.

And my like-none-other Uncle Doug.

I told my hubs this morning, I want El to wed in love

like these two.

They're a special kind of love.

Happy wedding, Katie + Matt.
We love you.