When I started planning my ceremony, I pulled out Amy’s wedding video to get me started thinking about what I might want to do. I’m glad the first time I watched it I was alone, because I started blubbering the moment Amy took my dad’s arm and started walking down the aisle in her veil and white dress. In the moments preceding that, I watched thinking, “Oh, that’s fun,” and “That turned out nice,” but as soon as everyone stood up and watched Amy as she walked down the aisle–cue the waterworks!

I don’t recall how many times I have watched the video since, but I’ll let you in on a secret: I got teary every time. I’ve become quite a sissy.

Walking down the aisle is a momentous moment. It’s a journey from who you have been to who you will become. And as a bride, I feel privileged that I get to take that walk, to symbolically mark my journey and my choice to now be joined with Matt.

I also feel incredibly privileged that I get to take that journey surrounded by family and dear friends. To get to walk beside my dad, have my mom there in the front row, and have my sister there by my side. The day would not feel complete without my family there sharing that moment with me.

Today I found out that a friend I made while I was in North Carolina recently suffered the loss of her mom to breast cancer. My heart breaks for her, knowing that she has lost one of her dearest friends and closest confidants. Having never suffered that kind of loss, I can’t say how it would feel, but I can’t help but believe it will forever feel as though someone is missing. Her mom won’t be there on her wedding day, and her mom will never know her grandchildren.

There are moments in our lives that just would not seem complete without family. And when I sit and watch Amy’s wedding video, I cry as I think, We made it. We’re all here.

I am so thankful.