23rd November.

“So many adventures couldn’t happen today,
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
We’ll let them come true….” ~ Forever Young

Late yesterday afternoon, sitting at my sewing machine, listening to the voices of my family as they prepared dinner while I worked, a strong scent wafted beside my left-hand side. Knowing from past experience that these unexpected scents are the visit of a passed loved one, I casually and subconsciously pondered who it might be….Mum?….Dad?….my sister, Anne?…..my grandmother?….

No, this sweet fragrance didn’t relate to any of them, a thought which startled me into consciousness. Who was this? I called Adam into the room ~ he could smell it too, talcum powder, baby’s talcum powder. Adam smiled, and told Mary….

Adam and Mary had discussed the ceremony with our dear friend, Therese, their marriage celebrant. They wanted Samuel to be a part of the day his parents married, to be included, and remembered. It had been decided that Therese would mention him briefly before the ceremony began….

In a serious moment, one which we thought we were all prepared for, Therese spoke of the loss of baby Samuel. He was with his parents on this day, in spirit.

Mary sobbed, tears rolled down Adam’s face. The bridesmaids carefully dabbed the corners of their eyes, so as not to ruin their carefully applied makeup. I thanked The Universe for reminding me to buy a water-proof mascara. One of the groomsmen wished he was still wearing his sunglasses.

There was hardly a dry eye among the guests, and we wouldn’t have wished for the beginning of the ceremony to be any other way.

Adam and Mary have so much to thank Samuel for. He taught them the meaning of true love, the bond of his parents is stronger for having had him in their lives, even for such a short time. They are grateful for having known him and he will live in the hearts of all who loved him, as well as his future siblings, forever.

Today, November 23rd, is his due date, but our tiny Sleeping Angel came early, born sleeping ~ Forever Young.

Bless Therese, she continued the ceremony, lightened the mood, and Mary’s cousin’s boys proudly offered beautiful readings…..

There was a shift in emotions, the focus now on Adam and Mary. Tears of sadness became tears of joy. From where I sat, I could see Mary’s face clearly. The way these two young people looked at each other spoke volumes. I have often seen this look pass between the two of them, it speaks of love, devotion, strength, admiration….

Lost in the moment, I wished I could capture that look forever, and thankfully I remembered my forgotten camera, nestled upon my lap. I zoomed in on Mary’s face, on that look, the look that every mother who loves her son wishes to see on his bride’s face….

I will show this photo of Mary to their children. I will tell them of the magical moment as I took the photo, when Mary’s great-grandmother leaned forward from her seat behind me and whispered, “Your son is amazing”, to which I replied, “I was just thinking the same of Mary”.

The beautiful ceremony, the words exchanged between the bride and groom, the laughter and tears, exchanging of rings, looks of love….it all passed by so quickly.

I wanted to show you Mary’s necklace, a thoughtful and meaningful addition for the day. My daughter, Emma, gave Mary an angel’s wing necklace the day after Samuel was born. Mary added her own touch to the necklace, a silver vial of some of Samuel’s ashes. Adam wore a small vial also, along with a pair of specially engraved cuff-links, “Samuel Christopher 08/08/2015”.

Our Little Angel was very much a part of the day.

Sealed with a kiss…..

But wait! Next they had to do their special hand-shake thingie!

And then it was time for the legalities….but the bond that Adam and Mary share is stronger than any man-made law could ever be.

An official commitment before friends and family, a love that will last forever. ❤

So, Therese continued to speak…..did they hear a word she said at this point? I think not….

Amid a chorus of claps and cheers, smiles and bubbles, the ceremony came to an end, as their lives as Mr and Mrs began.

Next, Sally the photographer whisked the wedding party away for more photos, at Kingscliff Beach, but I did manage to take a quick photo of Adam and Mary in the car first.

Most of today’s photos were taken by Sally. I wanted to be wholeheartedly in every moment throughout the entire ceremony, and capture just a couple of special events. Besides the next two photos, I took the first photo of the butterfly, Mary wanted butterflies to decorate the wedding, in memory of Samuel. I also took the close-up photo of  Mary, to capture the look of love in her eyes, and I also took the one as Adam slid the ring onto Mary’s finger….

…..the wedding rings came to into the ceremony carried on a small pillow, which was covered by a small babies blanket, the blanket in which Samuel was wrapped, after his birth.

Remembering Samuel today, thinking of what might have been, mind-blown by the lessons his short life gave and grateful for the love that envelops our family. ❤

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