and the bride wore a smile...

yesterday afternoon i left the comfort of my little la mirada and headed to the mountainous region of san juan capistrano.
in all the places i have been in california, this place reminds me the most of home.
maybe it was the chilly air yesterday or the warm sunlight on the buttery yellow and red leaves, but i actually felt joy to be right where i was.

i went this great distance to be with a great friend.
it was her bridal shower.

i will say it again...
she is getting married!

and yesterday, some of the people who love her the most gathered to talk about this woman, my friend, who is filled to the brim with life and love.

i will never forget hearing the testimonies of these women, as they heaped sincere thanks upon her head for being such a wonderful friend, caring cousin, kind daughter and a genuine companion.
i felt privileged to listen in.

so here are some things i will never forget about our singleness together:

-meeting her in upstate new york, when we were 12, unsure if this free spirit would like me
-watching her drive down the freeway as she turns to talk to me, laughing
-running from falling raindrops at a sleepy beach town in the winter
-listening to her talk about the boy; her brown eyes turning chocolate and warm
-sitting in the backseat of her friends car as we drove through la at night, the wind switching our hair to each other's head
-napping beside each other in the love bed, watching christmas movies in october
-pressing our faces together, arms around each other, mingling mascara streaked tears
-old lady adventures at the beach at 11pm; sand mixed with surf and laughter
-hearing the excited voice on the other end of the phone at 1:30am, announcing her engagement
-walking down to the beach, sun on our faces, enjoying the comfort of silence together
-seeing the beaming bride to be, opening gifts from loved ones; graciously thanking each one

its easy to see why i like this girl so much.
this girl turned into a woman-bride overnight.
her wedding day approaches fast.

2 months from today she will say i do to the boy forever.
i will stand up there with her and listen to her repeat her vows to the one she loves with all her heart.
i will watch her walk down the aisle with him, her white veil and dress falling behind; a testimony to her purity.
i will listen to their first dance, as they sway in each other's arms.
i will watch them leave, with everyone else shouting, for their first night together.

i get to be there to witness this friend taking the boy, to be her only love, before God.

and when she comes back, i get to be there waiting for her; anxious to start this new chapter of our friendship together.

she is ready.
he is ready.
God is here.

i feel joy...