Family gatherings – strike fear in the hearts of some and joy in the hearts of others.  Having grown up in a teeny, tiny family of just three (mainly two, once my sister left when I was 13) I look at my friends from massive families with absolute and complete envy.  How nice would it be to have this crowd of people laughing, joking, talking – different viewpoints, different perspectives – a girl could really get lost in a crowd if she wanted or be the leader of the pack as well.  Being one of two at the Christmas dinner table, it can really take it out of you if you aren’t really in a chatty mood, if you know what I am saying?  I know we often spend time here talking about the bride and groom but one of the main reasons you have a wedding is to have your nearest and dearest – your family – witness your love, united.

When Jason came home last night from Jennie and Nathan’s wedding I was struck by how much family there was – mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, grandmothers and grandfathers, children, aunties, uncles – in every nook and granny there is a generation of love and support pouring from each frame.  There were photos of them all together, all over the house, generations of families united and a lifetime of love.

As a bride and groom I would be lifted and assured by the knowledge that I had so many people and their wisdom available to me when I got married.  Jennie and Nathan are so very, very lucky.  We also like to think that one of our photos will one day make its way to the family mantle – for their children, and their children’s children to draw love and support and inspiration from.  It does really make you feel a little bit proud to be a tiny part of something that important…make you even a bit teary…(well it makes me a bit teary!)