Kathleen Chronicles: Jocelyn Get's Married!

Jocelyn Diefendorf | Pastor | Tyler Bowen
Friday, August 6, 2010 on Whidbey Island at 4:30 p.m.

The day started out grey and blustery.
Although it didn't dampen the spirits of the girls getting ready for the big event, it did cause challenges for David trying to keep the table cloths on the tables.

Anna Diefendorf Diaz & Jocelyn Diefendorf experimenting with colors

The day of the wedding.
Glenna, David and I busied ourselves with setup projects in and out of the house in preparation for the wedding and reception for 60 people.

David pinning the table cloth to keep it from blowing off

Glenna and Kathleen putting the plants out; couldn't do it until now so the deer wouldn't eat them!

David doing some last minute work on the gutter

David & Glenna taking a moment to marvel at how well it all came together (and rest for a moment too!)

The guests began arriving.
It was a Friday afternoon so it was about a 2-hour wait to catch the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton (Whidbey Island). The first guests began arriving around 3:30. There were beverages and snacks available until the ceremony started.

Papa John and delightful daughter Shannon

L to R | John, Helen, Jim, Jody
John was the chauffeur for grandma, grandpa and great aunt Jody...or as Jody said, "he is in charge of the old people".

L to R | Daniel, Glenna, Ben in the back, Linda in the front, Anna

Little Brother James and his Big Sister Shannon

Grandpa and his oldest grandchild Anna enjoying a moment together; I love the intense happiness I see in both of their faces.

L to R | Daniel, Ben, Favorite Aunt Jody from California

Jocelyn's grandpa on the left | Tyler's grandpa on the right
These patriarchs of the family enjoyed many moments together that evening; it was a joy to watch.

Once everyone arrived the ceremony began.
The bride was simply stunning in her absolute contented beauty. She was serene, relaxed and radiant. As Jocelyn joined Tyler under the flower laden arch the sun broke through the clouds and bathed the area in a golden glow. The person next to me whispered in my ear, "If you believe in signs, that is most certainly a good one." I couldn't help but smile :)

The ceremony lasted for a little over a half an hour with the pastor telling us of all the ways they loved each other while Tyler and Jocelyn smiled, giggled and looked deep into each others eyes. Family and friends sat comfortably under the canopy as we watched the two become a family; and then we celebrated their union with pizza, salad, cake, dancing and time together. It was a wonderful evening.

I am glad I was there for the weeks beforehand, the delightful day and I look forward to being there in the years to come.