Our guest blogger today is Kathy Dalton. Kathy and her husband, Daryl, serve faithfully as volunteers in our church with students, media, and many other things. Kathy serves as the nurse for many Student Ministry trips and is always willing to give of her time and talents. Kathy's claim to fame is being the mother of Emily Katherine, Andrew and Michael. Emily has served on staff as an Intern for the past two summers at First Baptist and was our guest blogger a few weeks ago.

The Wedding that Was

Kathy Dalton

I will never forget the night our middle son, Andrew, was born. He was such a precious little baby boy and filled our lives with such joy. Before I knew it, Andrew had graduated from Dorman High School and headed to the University of SC in Columbia.  Our family went through a rough spot during Andrew's sophomore and junior years due to the economy affecting our finances. Andrew was hit the hardest being away from family with no money flowing to help with his expenses.  Providentially, Andrew turned to Young Life, Midtown Church, and side jobs as his hiding places of survival, but family communication dwindled to a trickle. My husband, Daryl, and I loved our son with all of our hearts and tried relentlessly to rebuild our relationships with him. We wanted so desperately to help him see how much we loved him, and how proud we were of the man he had become. 

Andrew officially started dating a young woman named Katherine his senior year. The Lord used her to help bridge the gap in communication and rebuild our strained relationship. We had known Katherine since Andrew's freshman year at University of South Carolina and somehow knew in our hearts that she would be the one he would marry someday. You can imagine the joy we felt on Christmas Eve, sitting in Chick-Fil-A with my parents and family in Virginia when Andrew stated, "I am going to ask Katherine to marry me and I want to get married May 31st in Columbia.  How does that work with your schedules"? 

Hmmm...Our daughter, Emily Katherine, was planning to go to Costa Rica for the summer.  Michael, our oldest son, has Leadercast videos to shoot in May.  Daryl and I both were getting ready for our Discipleship groups to graduate. Grammy and Papa had already paid for a vacation the last week of May.  But none of that mattered!  With the announcement of Andrew’s wedding we all mentally cleared our schedules and said "OK, let’s do it"!  Everyone was excited and eager to welcome Katherine into our family. 

In early February, Katherine said "yes" to Andrew's proposal and we all went to work with planning the parts we would play in the celebration.  Neither family was originally from South Carolina so we all felt we were essentially planning a long distance wedding.  In planning the rehearsal dinner, we wanted to provide Andrew and Katherine with the best celebration possible with no stress on their part.  After endless internet searches, phone calls, interviews, budget reviews, menu discussions and rehearsal details finalization, we finally decided upon a location.  The venue came with a caterer so we were all set, so we thought. When I questioned an item on the cost breakdown the caterer abruptly canceled our contract and left us in the cold!  After tears, phone calls, more internet searches and visits, we found our perfect caterer.  On the other end of the line, a sweet voice said "Don't you worry Ms. Kathy we will take care of you and I will personally make sure your son's wedding is perfect".  Again, I was in tears.  I thanked her graciously and she stated, “I believe the Lord brought us together to celebrate your son’s wedding".  My immediate thought…God’s ways are perfect. 

Fast forward to May 30th in Columbia, SC.....Lots of preparation and planning had gone into the evening of the rehearsal dinner and we wanted it to be perfect.  Tables were set, caterer was ready and everyone arrived to celebrate Andrew and Katherine's marriage. Each of us stood to tell about our love for the couple and leave them with advice.  Tears were shed over stories by family and friends who love both Andrew and Katherine as much as we do. God brought everything together perfectly. 

The wedding day had finally arrived. The one we all had anticipated back in December was here and we were all in our places ready to celebrate and welcome a new daughter into our family.  Katherine was beautiful, Andrew was as handsome as ever, and the wedding party stood before us as their Young Life Pastor shared the gospel to everyone in attendance.  After songs, vows, and ring exchanges the bride and groom walked away in celebration.  The night went so fast and before we knew it was time to say good bye and watch the wedding couple, our son and new daughter, drive away to Austin, Texas for their honeymoon. 

In looking back over Andrew’s life, I am so thankful that God uses people and circumstances to work His perfect will in our lives.  Hindsight is always 20/20 and reflecting back to the tough years, I truly believe God was carrying Andrew and helping to meet his needs the same as He did ours.    Life with our children goes so fast and yes, we as parents make mistakes, but thankfully God heals and makes us new through Him and His grace. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord,

 "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)