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Let me begin by saying that all of these pictures were taken by Caroline’s sweet friend Brooke (the cute blond on the left), who I think may have a future in photography if she wants one. Thanks for letting me steal these from you, Brooke! My camera is in the back of my car at some car dealership in Clanton, because we broke down on the side of the road on the way home yesterday 🙂 YAY!!!! A story for another blog.We had a BLAST, over the last few days. (This is all four of us Clark girls for anybody new.) And if this were high school, I feel pretty sure Caroline and Riley would have been voted “Cutest Couple” and “Best Smiles” Don’t you just want to pinch them?! They were absolutely glowing the whole weekend.

We kick-started the wedding festivities with a rehearsal dinner, hosted by Riley’s parents. It was in the old train station in historic downtown Dothan and was a great combination of elegance and rustic charm…and a delicious four course meal!

I love rehearsal dinners. Hearing about the couple through the eyes of their friends is so…telling. I heard that Caroline is bubbly, loving, giving, organized, loves the Lord, and could eat Riley with a spoon. I heard that Riley is a strong Christian leader, devoted friend, role model, former Casanova :), loves Caroline enough to set the world ablaze, and never once raised his voice towards his mother 🙂

And look, it’s all the new brothers……plus one we love enough he should be one.

I am amazed at what a gift these men are to our family. I just never thought about how much fun it would be to add a bunch of boys to our tight-knit group of sisters. Honestly, if I thought about it at all, it was probably more with a sense of leeriness at what husbands might do to spread us apart;…the opposite has been true. Seeing them love each other and us has added more love, and lots more fun, to the old Clark family. I could not ask for better brothers!

Now on to the wedding day! I feel certain my Mom was whispering in God’s ear on Saturday morning, because we could not have personally ordered a more perfect spring morning. Seventy degrees, bright sunshine, and a cool breeze. Absolute perfection…just like these beautiful bridesmaids:

And these groomsmen, who apparently have an inner model just bursting to get out.

And maybe a little silliness too (sorry Reed, but this was too funny to pass up :))Somewhere between that picture and this next one, we watched God bind together two souls before a great cloud of witnesses.The reception was planned totally by Caroline and Dad, and they did an INCREDIBLE job! There was such a sweet and touching simplicity in watching Caroline be married in my Mom’s wedding dress (that my Grandma made) and then celebrate in the home where we’d all grown up. It felt…right, easy. And every little imperfection in the yard or house (which were very few because Dad and Konie both scrubbed and painted and decorated like mad people), is what made it home.

There was a bluegrass band playing in a big white tent in the front yard

And food and cake on the back patio, underneath an arbor (that Jeremiah and Tommy built together one summer) laden with Confederate Jasmin.And after food had been eaten and dances were danced, it was time for Mr. and Mrs. Blair to head off for their honeymoon.

Pace was excited that she was finally going to get to throw the rose petals she’d been too nervous to scatter down the aisle 🙂And we all lined our circular driveway to tell them goodbye

and they drove off into the sunset.

The number goes without notice (even though it is an exciting one :)), but the day cannot possibly. I am so thankful to have you as my mother-in-law. Thankful for your example of what it looks like to spend your life sacrificing for others, while still maintaining your own identity. Thankful for the advice of one who has walked the path of being married to a highly devoted medical student, resident, and (eventually) surgeon, who taught me to live and love now instead of always waiting for tomorrow. Thankful for the example of loving and giving lavishly, that has blessed me and made me want to do the same. Thankful for the son you’ve raised to be a strong and creative man and taught how to live confidently in both. Thankful to be facing a life without my own Mom, with you by my side. Thankful for the six months (after I lost Mom) you continued to love and be there for me, even though I was angry at you for the simple and unavoidable fact that you weren’t my Mom. Thankful for how you love our girls and how you turn into silly Moogie just for them. Thankful that you’ve made me feel like your daughter and not your daughter-in-law in all aspects of life. Thankful for all the fun we’ve had and all the fun to come. Thankful for you…every single last funny, beautiful, smart, creative drop of you. Happy Birthday!