Two years ago today, at this very moment, a wedding began, bringing together two precious people. Their love and commitment to one another is beautiful to behold. They have such a blast together and are true servants to one another. Their love for each other is rooted in their relationship with the Lord. We gained an amazing son and she gained an incredible family who adores her.

This day was blessed by so many who helped in so many ways. She decided to try on her cousin, Stephanie 's wedding dress before shopping for a wedding gown. When she walked in the room, we all knew that the search was over before it began. It was tailor made for her. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing this incredible gown. The beautiful, cathedral length veil, offered by her precious aunt, Tia Mercy, was as beautiful that day is it was so many years ago when Mercy wore it. We're grateful to God that Mercy was able to witness her walking down the aisle before she went to be with the Lord a few months later. She was honored to allow Merrilee to have it updated, and Merrilee was so honored to wear it. wedding dresses for girls

The beautiful bridesmaids luncheon at Acworth Gallery , hosted by my Mother and my sister was decorated perfectly by the owner, Lavona, who loves Merrilee so. She went above and beyond to make it a fairy tale luncheon.

The beautiful and hilarious lingerie shower given by my sister, Rhonda , my mother, sister-in-love, Evelyn , as well as the shower given by Cassadee , Jade and Rhonda Richards Colwell could not have been more fun!!! The couples shower hosted by the second mamas and daddies to Braelen (and now to Merrilee) was so nice and beautiful!!

On the wedding weekend, Elena Diaz and family made their way to Red Top Mountain cabins where the groomsmen were staying to feed them Cuban cuisine.

Brian Dean Photography was so easy to work with and did an absolutely fabulous job with the pictures. The beautiful tulle on the gazebo in this picture was the work of my sister-in love, Jan Matthews and niece, Amy Matthews .

Adrian Larson of Adriane's Delectables Catering was a Godsend and her suggestions and wonderful food made for a fabulous reception.

Cedar Plantation Wedding Venue was the perfect, elegant place to celebrate the joining together of Merrilee and Braelen Gasser for so many reasons, including it being my 5th grade teacher's home before it was a wedding venue, to it being across the street from the church where I was baptized and where Daddy's funeral was held and officiated by Bill Abbott, who grew up in the home that is now Cedar Plantation.

It all started with a magical proposal on a dock on Lake Lanier, followed by a surprise engagement party, where the newly engaged couple made their way up the hill through a lantern lit path held by the guests who greeted them as they made their way to the party at the home of her new family, the Gassers. Emily , thank you for capturing on video that dreamy proposal on the dock from your hideout in the woods along with your accomplice, Cullen Gasser. : )) The groomsmen (several of whom traveled from Virginia to attend the party) even pitched in to make the engagement party a huge success!

All of these memories, including the adorable song captured by the bridesmaids on the way to Lake Lanier to surprise Merrilee, to having the girls here at the house as they got ready for the wedding, are treasures of love that I will never forget.

I am teary just thinking back on all of this and knowing how much you, Rusty and Lisa, love "our" girl, as much as we love our new son.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my beautiful daughter and son, Mr. and Mrs. Braelen Gasser. May the Lord continue to bless you with many, many more years of love, laughter and devotion. We love you so much!!!! <3 <3