Love, Honor, Cherish

In today's society, it is common to have blended families, where one or both of the partners in a relationship brings a child or children into the new family unit. The wedding Danny and I went to Saturday evening was one such union, but with a special and heartwarming twist.

The groom's 9-year-old son from his previous marriage was a groomsman, smartly dressed in a pint-sized tuxedo. After the exchanging of vows and rings, this freckled, smiling young man was called to the front of the church. The bride, his new stepmother, recited a set of vows for him; promsing to love him, respect him, and guide him throughout his life as he grows from a child to a man. As a symbol, she placed a beautiful silver necklace around his neck.

There wasn't a single dry eye in the church after that.