Thoughts from the Mountain Top

There are Mountain Top experiences and then there are MOUNTAIN TOP Life Changing Moments….I guess I should start at the beginning.

Groom and Mom

We give birth to these amazing children and from the time they cut the cord we have to start letting go. I know we, raise them, feed them, discipline them, laugh with them, cry with them, feel frustrated, worried and proud…we send them to grandma’s, pre-school, elementary, friends houses, middle school, camp, high school and college….Help them set up their first nests with towels, sheets, plates and cups….Parenthood is messy, wonderful, complicated, magical, stressful and the best gift given in my opinion. Nothing tops it emotionally for me.

That is why this past week was one of the best weeks of my life. My oldest got married. Another cutting of the cord, the ole “leave and cleave”, but what a deep, meaningful and loving experience to say the least. We spent a week in NC. I was surrounded by my 5 (now 6) for a few days, then slowly all the friends, families and loved ones started to show up to build a makeshift community in the little town called Banner Elk. The celebrating started with my 48th birthday! One of my best birthdays ever, how can you beat having all 6 in the beautiful mountains in NC celebrating love?

Night Before Dinner

Then we moved on to the rehearsal dinner, which went off just as I had hoped. Roosters, lanterns, Andrew’s beer, strung lights in the trees,  yummy food (all homemade), candles in cans, picnic tables, wine in mason jars, toasts given by grandparents, lots of laughter, love and smiles, cigars and whiskey for those that could grow whiskers, and banjo pickin music sung around fire pits….doesn’t get any better for our kind. Big thanks to my dear friend Kathy, her daughter and son in law, Hope and David. I could not have enjoyed it without you handling all the prep, service and care. Friendship beyond measure. The Bride and Groom had loads of fun as their two tribes joined as one to celebrate what was to take place the next day.

Wedding day, tears came and went all day from such powerful emotions, moments that moved me…..

Praying with David on the porch in the mountain air at the start of one of the most important days in his life. Grace watching David in the mirror work on his tie. The first sight of Morgan….breathtakingly Beautiful. She is one of mine, boy am I lucky. Hanging around to see David’s first look at his bride, Morgan’s giggle,David’s face…well worth the wait. Loading up all the bridesmaids and groomsmen in the vans for pictures, then standing with Morgans parents, all of us teary eyed knowing we had to JUMP in the shower quick to get to the wedding! Kristin and Kris never left my side. Standing together waiting to walk in, Morgans mom and I giggled at the thought of carrying a big roll of toilet paper down with us, but Ashley the planner told us no. She was right. Walking down with David and Jackson at my side to my seat, thanking God for them every step of the way and that I did not take a spill. I heard the angel band and trumpets. Watching as Morgans mom Lisa came down, the groomsmen took their places and bridesmaids made their entrance….then little sis’s Grace and Jaden announcing “Here comes the Bride”….Lisa and I held each other as we knew our children were about to become one. The mountain top was set for these two to come together. I was told as Morgan was starting down with her dad that she whispered, “It is perfect.” And it was.

Our Tribe

Here comes the Bride

We danced, ate, hugged, kissed, sang with our favorite “Boy Bluegrass band” I’ll fly away and some Boss tunes (Uncle Scott did his share), laughed, and celebrated this meaningful moment. I know that mountain had never had so much love on it’s top than on that night, we covered it like a hot fudge sundae. You could feel it in the cold air and see it swirling around as we danced late into the night. Since I have come home it still is there swirling around inside me, you know like something really delicious that you have eaten and you want the taste to stay in your mouth? I am savoring the love that I felt on that Mountain Top that night….It was as Michael said, “Magical!”

Lot’s of prayers over the years for David’s wife, never knowing it would be Morgan. God knew what he needed, who we would love and adore and has a plan and purpose for their life together…What God has put together, let no man put asunder!

It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. David and Morgan Claytor!

The Wedding Party!

Michaels Magical Dance Moves!

First Dance