Dad and Janet’s Wedding

If you are new to my blog, I need to tell you the reason I started blogging two years ago.

My mom encouraged me to start a blog because she thought it would be a fun outlet for me to share my DIY projects around my home.  I would often get discouraged being a stay-at-home mom, and my mom thought the blogging community would be uplifting to me.

Boy, was she right!  (as usual) :)

Little did I know that 7 short months later, I would be sharing with my blogging community about the struggles I was facing when my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer.  And then 7 short weeks after that, I would lose my mom to that awful disease.

It changed my life forever.

My mom has been the greatest influence on my life.  She was an amazing woman.  I wrote about my mom every Wednesday for a year after she passed away.  The posts were titled “Wednesdays with Wanda”.  To me, they are the most special posts on my blog.  And if you  really want to know me and my heart, you will find it in those posts.  There is a tab above my header dedicated to those posts.  You can also read them HERE.

It has been almost 2 years since my mom passed away.  And I still miss her terribly.  There are so many things I want to tell her and share with her.  She was my biggest cheerleader.  I don’t think she could have ever imagined how much my blog would have grown or how big of a part of my life it would have become.  Although before she passed away, she encourage my sister and I to keep on blogging because she could see how much encouragement we were receiving from it.

It has become one of the greatest gifts Mom left me.  Thank you, Mom.

I know that many of my readers were surprised when I announced that my dad was getting remarried.  Some may have even been shocked.  And I totally understand.

If you missed that post, please read it HERE so you can understand where my heart is on the matter.

But more than anything, I want everyone to know that I love Janet so much and consider her to be a huge blessing to our family.

My dad and Janet were married on June 11, 2011.  I have been wanting to share it with you for a while, but I kept putting it off because I knew I had so much to say, and didn’t know quite how to say it.

So I decided to break it up into two posts.

Today, I just want to share a video with you of pictures from the wedding.

In my next post, I will share my heart with you about the wedding.  There are so many emotions to share.

Both Dad and Janet were so cute the day of their wedding.  You could tell they were both nervous.

My brother-in-law is a pastor, and he lead the ceremony.  It was only family in attendance, and it was held in Janet’s back yard.   This is the home that Dad and Janet now live in.

Janet was beautiful and gracious as always, but more on that later.

May God’s goodness shine in this video.

Untitled from Beneath My Heart on Vimeo.

 

53 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video.. and helping to remind us to be thankful for each day that the Lord has blessed us with. Bless your Dad and his new wife. :)

  2. I’m sure your mom is watching over you and giving you strength. It’s such a bittersweet story. I cried reading it and I appreciate you sharing this with us. Thank you Traci. God Bless you and yours.

  3. How sweet! It’s difficult to see a parent move onto a new phase of their life without their original spouse, but how happy your father looks to not be alone. Men do need a helper–God made them that way.

  4. Thank you for sharing such a tender event with us, Traci. Your entire family is “beyond” photogenic, and Janet fits right in there. My Congratulations to the Happy Couple, and I am sure we will be watching them both bloom in the coming months and years.

  5. The video is beautiful. How wonderful for your father that you are all so accepting of his new wife. My first husband passed away from colon cancer 10 years ago at the age of 43 so I understand the loss and the challenges of going on with life without someone that you love. I also was lucky enough to find another wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with. I hope your father and your entire family will be very happy!

  6. That was such a beautiful video, and your entire family is gorgeous. It looks like it was a wonderful family day. And your choice of song for the video brought a tear to my eye.

  7. I’ve followed you for a while and love you to pieces!!

    And now I adore you even more–what Christian kindness, faith, CLASS and family support you’re showing via this post.

    I know that in some ways it must be difficult, but what an IMMENSE HEART you have to consider what’s best for your father.

    I KNOW IN MY HEART OF HEARTS THAT YOUR MOTHER IS WATCHING FROM HEAVEN AND IS SO PROUD OF YOUR GENEROUS SPIRIT!!!!!!!

    Hugs/blessings,

    Lana (a Kentucky girl) In Italy

  8. I was wondering about this wedding ever since you made the announcement of your dad getting married. Thank you so much for posting the video of pictures Traci as it was beautiful. Looking forward to the next post.

  9. Traci,
    I’m a newcomer to your blog, so I had to go back and read the post about your announcement that your dad was getting married. I have been so blessed by your grasp of God’s goodness and love, even in the midst of such sorrow and grief over the loss of your mom. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose my mom, but I do know that God is to be trusted and we do find our joy in HIM. The song you played with the video was perfect as the joy of the Lord was so beautifully radiating from your dad and Janet on the day of their wedding. May the Lord richly bless their marriage and your entire family as you grow in and through this change. Thanks for sharing your heart.

  10. Traci,

    Thank you for sharing an intimate family wedding with all of us that follow your blog. I cried watching the video and rejoice with your family. Our God is the God of second chances – in so many ways.

    Hugs,
    Heather

    PS I use to dress my boys in the same for church and special occasions :)

  11. They are so cute… you can tell how happy (and at peace) they are. Beautiful testimony to God’s Sovereignty.

    I’m sure many mixed emotions were flying around in your heart – that day, Traci – and maybe even still.

    Transitions like this are always “hard”. Praying for you and your family and can’t wait to hear “the rest of the story”. ;)

  12. Oh girl, your daddy looks so happy, as does Janet. You have such a precious heart and I love that we had a chance to talk so long at your house…I think it was a blessing my car broke down…I felt like I knew you so much better and understood your heart on this wedding when I left. Janet was such a gift to your dad..I know you mom would be happy for him too. :) Speaking of your beautiful momma….her biscuit recipe was amazing! Cindi had it posted earlier this week and I made them last night. My family raved over them and I explained you and your mom’s story….they appreciated them even more. Lincoln said it was his favorite of all the bread recipes I’ve ever made. :)
    Love ya Traci and thanks for sharing your pictures and your heart. Can’t wait to spend some more time getting to know you even more.
    Hugs
    MIssy

  13. I’ve been following your blog for a while but somehow missed the Wednesdays with Wanda. I am so happy for your father and Janet. The video is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

  14. Oh, girl, what a wonderful post! The video is marvelous, especially the way it ends. Your dad and Janet look so happy and so right together. They’re not the young Doug and Janet who fell and love and wanted to build a family and a future together. They’re the mature Doug and Janet who have known great love and great sorrow, who can comfort and care for one another in a different way–but they still fell in love, and you can see that love shining in their eyes. There’s a definite spring in their step, too–they look like people in love. I am so happy for them!

    I’m happy for you, too. Of course no one can ever take your mother’s place, but how great for you and Cyndi and Blake to know that your Dad is no longer lonely. And Janet looks as if she’ll be a really lovely stepmother. Isn’t it sad how the word “stepmother” has always held bad connotations (thank you, Cinderella)? But it’s a lovely word if you’ll let it be. Your mom has already stepped into heaven, so Janet has stepped into her spot on the earth. No one could ever take her place in your heart, of course, but I know that Janet isn’t trying to do that–I know that’s she’s going to do a wonderful job of fulfilling the role that God has given her now. I really am so happy for all of you!

    Love you!

  15. Traci, this beautiful post is just another reason I love your blog. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video of such an important day for your family. I just love your heart.

    P.S.- Your boys looked awesome!!!! Almost too much “handsomeness” for one picture!

  16. Oh what a great video! I can’t wait to hear more about it…my husbands father passed away 7 years ago now…and his mother re-married less than a year after his death. Everyone looked at it as “quick”…people were very hurt and offended, but it was truly God who brought them together! Her new husband lost his first wife to cancer the day my MIL buried her husband from cancer. They didn’t even know eachother before their spouses died. It’s amazing how they’re both been able to heal together…and start a new and God-pleasing life together these past few years!!

    Thanks for sharing!!!

  17. I got teary-eyed. I don’t know if it’s because my oldest daughter got married this summer or just because of how sweet the story is about your Dad/Mom and Janet. Or both. I can’t believe it’s been two years!

    You have a sweet spirit about it all, Traci. God has done a work and it’s good to see your Dad happy again. I pray you have many sweet memories to come as a family!

  18. What beautiful post!! I really enjoyed the video!! Your dad & Janet truly look so happy together!! And God’s goodness definitely shines in all of those pictures! What a beautiful day he made for your dad, Janet, & your whole family! He IS so good!!

  19. HI, Traci – I enjoy reading your posts so much when you share your heart with us.. That video is beautiful. So happy for your dad. I can only imagine all the different emotions you must be feeling.. but God is great isnt He. . He knows just what we need ALL the time and He provides. Congrats to your Dad !

    ( i love that all the boys were dressed alike.. so cute)

  20. This was a beautiful video. I am so happy that your dad will not have to be alone. i wish them the bst…and may God bless them.

    I know it must be so hard…and I know you miss your beautiful momma so much. But I know that she is in heaven and at peace with all of this. I am so glad that you learned from your gracious and loving mother, and that you have embraced Janet.

    I tell you…I am choking up at the love I felt in this post.

    God bless you as you all adjust…

    God is so Good!

    Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

  21. What a sweet video. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story, Traci! You are so right…the joy of the Lord is our strength.

  22. Your heart is so big and so special and so full of the Lord’s love, and it shows with this post. I still miss my mom and she’s been gone for over 25 yrs, so that part of you will never stop. He’s sent you another Blessing, and how wonderful to see that you Dad isn’t alone. Love ya. Hugs, Marty

  23. thank you for sharing.. and i’m looking forward to reading your next post. my mom was diagnosed jan. 2005 with stage 4 gastric-esophogeal cancer & passed away 16 months later. my dad married 10 months after she passed. we all took it very hard at first, but i am so thankful for my stepmom. she is a blessing to our family & great, Godly woman & wonderful grandmother to all the babies.

  24. What a BEAUTIFUL video. God surely has laid many blessings on your family and answered prayers. I pray they have a wonderful happy marriage. Isn’t crazy how God gives us what we need and sometimes when least expected? He shows HIS great works in your family. God Bless!!

  25. That video brought tears to my eyes. Your dad looks so happy. I’m so happy for your family. I know this had to have been a hard day, but it was also a blessed day!

  26. Oh friend…I LOVED…LOVED…LOVED…the video. So precious and sweet. God has truly done a GREAT thing and I’m so happy for your family.

  27. Your family posts always touch me so much (as do the others as well)! I love how God always shines through your family’s story. I know it is only that way because He is a priority in your lives. What an absolutely wonderful group of people who beam with God’s love, grace, and mercy. I pray for God’s blessings on your family and the newlyweds. :)

  28. My Mom passed away a little more than two years ago…and some days it feels like yesterday. My dad has been very lonely since then, but has been surrounded by loving family and friends to help keep it at bay. I know, though, that this doesn’t take the place of a true companion.

    The way you described your dad so perfectly echoes how I would describe mine. I know that there is a possibility of him meeting someone that he’d like to marry…and lately I’ve been struggling with how that would make me feel. (I know, selfish, but true) I just want him to be happy.

    I think that the timing and honesty of your post were no accident. Thank you so much for sharing!

  29. This was a very sweet video…( I got tears in my eyes…Im such a emotional gal :)) … I dont even know you or your family and I didn’t know your Mom….But I feel like Ive come to know you all through this Blog. I know that it couldn’t have been easy, I know the Lord has helped you. Like the song in the video says , His Joy is our strength. Bless you Traci , Thank you for Sharing. Looking forward to part two.

  30. HI Traci,

    What a beautiful post. It came straight from your heart and was so uplifting to read even though I did tear up. How very blessed you are and you must be so happy to see you dad come alive again.

    You’ve got a great looking family. Thanks for sharing!

  31. Very sweet video! Thanks for posting. Your dad and Janet look so happy. They looked like famous people in that one picture where they are walking away, holding hands and waving! :) I pray God will bless them in their new life together! I LOVE how you have all of your boys dressed alike! I do the same thing with my boys! The center pieces for the tables were very pretty too. I look forward to reading your second post about the wedding!

  32. I just read your post telling us about your dad getting married. Not sure how I missed that one! : ) I may not comment a lot, but I’m still lurking! : )

    I’m so glad he is so happy, and that God has given him a godly wife…but I can understand you missing your mom. But it sounds like Janet understands. What a blessing!

    I cried rivers reading through your post about meeting Janet, and giving her a hug, wanting a hug from your mom. I miss Momma so much! I wonder if my momma and yours have met yet? ; )

  33. I think that your Dad remarrying is a testament to his happy marriage to your mom. I don’t think men do as well alone and, if he weren’t tremendously happy in marriage, I think he would remain alone…and maybe not joyful. I know it’s God’s blessing for he and Janet and for all of you.

    The video is precious and I’m sure there are memories being created daily with the two of them and both families. Thank you for sharing!

    xo
    Pat

  34. What a beautiful day! Thank you for sharing a bit of it with us! Blessings to your dad and Janet! And I pray that their marriage blesses your entire family as well.

    God is good… ALL THE TIME!

  35. thank you for sharing that video, and your heart. You are so precious. How amazing our Lord is… He makes joy from ashes. And clearly, sweet one, He shines through you as you share your heart on this one.
    hugs,
    – {darlene}

  36. OMWord that is so sweet I teared up. Gosh, I’ve been emotional these last couple of days. I’ve teared up at a baby announcement, a death, a farewell and now a wedding. Thank you for sharing something so special.

  37. Thank you for sharing the beautiful video with us. Your daddy looks so happy and Janet is beautiful. I can imagine the whirlwind of emotions you were feeling on this day. I know that God’s presence was with you all and I am thankful He’s blessed your family with this precious gift in Janet.

  38. Traci

    I have to share with you about one of my brothers. He lost his wife 7 years ago. It was honestly very hard to love my sister in law, but we tried to show her love and respect out of respect for my brother. She died suddenly from heart diesease. He too, went about 18 months before he met his now current wife. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. She is an angel. Her story and the one of Janet’s are very similar. Margaret, my new sisterinlaw has really brought so much happiness back into my brother’s life. We are sooo very thankful to God for bring her to us too.

    What a beautiful wedding! Great pics. Love those sweet pics of the boys. Love love love that one of your niece and Eli. So Precious! Thanks for sharing your heart Traci, its a beautiful one!

    Hugs,
    Marilyn C.

  39. Traci,

    There are so many things in your story that I (thankfully) can’t imagine- the loss of your mom, watching your dad fall in love, and being at your father’s wedding. I hope I never have to experience those. But I so appreciate your Godly example to all of us of how to handle these events with appropriateness and grace and love and mercy. It is also impossible for me to comprehend the loss of my sweet spouse, but even more so the terror of having to date again! Your dad is a brave man, and I am so glad that he and Janet have started their new journey.

    You are a blessing!
    Laura

  40. Tracie,

    This is very late, but I always get behind on my blog readings with the hectic life over here. I do not comment very often but always try to read. I just wanted to say that you inspire me. Your faith, grace and never ending support to your family, friends and your creativity… just fills me up. I teared up watching this video, to know the true love for a father, the smiles of family and the song. I envy(in a mild and good way) the mother you had and have still in many ways. You would think it should not be a rare thing to have a mother like the one you had that I have been able to read about for over a year and half now. But in my life it is. I come from a woman that had me when she was two weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday, she has battled and still does depression(bi-polar) substance abuse and picks men that are abusive. So when I was growing up I had to take care of my mother and when she continued to have children(oldest of five) I would have to take care of them too. Protect them from the fights, put food in the house, make sure my mom took her meds, when she was on them, and try to ignore the dangerous place we had to call “home”. Things did not change and that is why for the past two years we(husband and I ) have had guardianship of my three younger siblings(14,12,11) and will probably stay that way till they are 18. I say this not to depress you, but to just show you that I know that the childhood and love and security you grew up with and show your kids is what is supposed to be, what is normal. The fact that you share these stories just keeps me motivated to keep making choices that keeps me away from the life i grew up in. Thank you.

    I am not sure why I babbled all this on such a happy post of yours, but I think I just needed to for me and if it is too serious or down you can delete and no hard feelings will be had. I just believe THIS post and the other two about your dad getting married, just made it clear the type of person you are and I look up to that and am thankful that you have not just shared your decorating tips, but ..just so much more. So thank you..not just for the awesome recipes, decorating tips. But for sharing your family, love and faith. I look forward to be able to continue to read posts that inspire me in so many ways

    Bridgette

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