This glorious, blustery, feeling-rattling, perfect day.
Weddings, by definition and act, are triumphs of faith and hope,
of love and family. And this one, this day, shone bright with all of that, and
so much more.
Not so very long ago, our amazing daughter was forced to walk
through a very dark and trying time. She lost someone she loved and it was
heartbreaking for her and all of us who cherish her. But Cearra was brave and
strong. She didn't grow bitter; she didn't shutter her heart, nor limit her
dreams. She chose to believe. And when the time was right, the man who now
makes her smile sparkle, who honors her and loves her without limits, walked
into her life.
Yes, weddings are expressions of faith and hope; of love and
family. And on this day, Cearra and Tim shared all of that with all of us, in many ways.
It began at the rehearsal dinner, a rollicking event generously hosted
by Tim’s dad and his new bride Vicki. Cearra and Tim showed their thoughtfulness
in a playful way, serving four delicious cakes – one each to acknowledge and
celebrate my dad’s birthday, Tim’s aunt’s birthday, Tim’s brother and wife’s
anniversary (all that very day), and mine and Bob’s anniversary (the day
before).
The wedding party was joyfully chosen by the bride and groom and made up of brothers and
sisters, plus nieces and nephews who added more
than a touch of whimsy and wiggles. Add old pals and new friends also proud to stand and
smile through the windy gusts and chilly weather as they will stand by Tim and
Cearra in their married life.
Tim and his family recently suffered the all too soon
passing of a beloved uncle. In his honor, Tim and Cearra invited his son to be
an usher and his daughter to read "Desiderata" during the ceremony.
Upholding a Nocera family tradition, they had an "apron" dance during
the reception, and the new Mr. and Mrs. will be donating all the collected
money to the Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center in Jay’s honor.
Most of all, the moment we are all still talking about … as Bob walked
Cearra down the aisle, they stopped beside her uncle Todd’s chair and Cearra
reached out her hand. She took his arm and said “I love you”.
In Todd’s own words:
My heart is
overflowing, my cup runneth over! Today I experienced the depth of sacrifice
and the fullness of love. Knowing that because of Hannah's disabilities I would
never get to walk her down the aisle, Cearra and Bob surprised me and allowed
me to take Cearra's arm and accompany them the rest of the way to the altar.
I'm overwhelmed that Cearra would love me enough to think to do that, and that
Bob would allow me to have a part in a moment that was deservedly his and his
alone. I feel like I could live a thousand years and never in that amount of
time be blessed the way I was today.
If you can still see through the tears in your eyes, please enjoy
the pictures I’ve gathered from both the professional photographer and those
posted by friends and family.
Everything about the ceremony and reception was spectacular. The
location, Wyndridge Farms, was stunning. The flowers and décor, all the little
special touches created by Cearra and by Le Anne, the music and dancing and
food and drinks – all were fantastic. The bridesmaids were beautiful and the
groomsmen good-looking, and as I think you’ll agree, the bride was
breathtakingly gorgeous, the groom so handsome.
But on this day, the most memorable, wonderful things of all were these: faith
and hope; love and family.