It would be tempting for me to tell you details of how I arrived in Hayward, WI this past Saturday.  Tales of red-eye flights and rental cars and secret surprises, and I probably will one day, but not today.  Because the obvious truth is this day was no where near about me.  It was about Mayo and Nicole and their families coming together to make that cold December day a little warmer.

It had snowed four inches the night before the wedding, which did two amazing things.  It insulated the ground and allowed for one perfect day of sunny but not bitingly cold weather and it wrapped the world in a blanket of peacefulness as far as the eye could see.  So at 4 o'clock families and a few friends began to gather at Nicole's family cabin, exchanging details on how they knew the couple and stirring hot chocolates with candy cane spoons.  The laughter was audible even as the trusty John Deere tractor carted people via hayride from the top of the icy hill to the cabin.  Blankets were shared, candles were lit and as the sun dropped behind the horizon the temperatures began to drop to numbers ending in "teen."

But no matter because Mayo & Nicole, keeping each other warm, pledged their love and commitment to each other and their families.  They promised for better or worse to be the warmth that keeps the cold, dark world at bay.  They gave rings to have and to hold for as long as they both shall live.  They used the flame from their unity candle to give light to the candles in the hands of people they loved and all together sang "Silent Night" with the world's most perfect back-drop.  With the words "heavenly peace" still ringing in the air they were pronounced man & wife.

I would be remiss if I didn't plug a few pictures of some really cute little wedding guests.




Congratulations Mayo & Nicole.  It was a joy to be part of your celebration, I'm so honored to call you both family.  Thank you for all you did to bring me there, I could not have been more grateful.  Hug Aly & Adam from me!