Woodhouse Whitham Wedding – #TheAuthorMoms

Big and Small Decisions – Part 2

First – we want to wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We are cheering for 2021 big time, aren’t you? Before I continue, I should probably warn you that I’m about to move across the country and I’m in the middle of editing A Deep Divide which releases in October, so my brain is just a little fried. (In other words, be prepared for random thoughts…)

Anyway, Becca and I had a fun conversation when she was here for Thanksgiving about how big and small decisions impact our lives. (If you haven’t read Becca’s post about it – make sure you go back and read it)

To continue with her beautiful train of thought, I wanted to share a little decision that became a huge decision that became life-changing.

Back in 2019 (that sounds like it was a century ago, doesn’t it?) Becca and I had the chance to get together several times for some great writer events. It was amazing that we were both back in the same region of the country again (her hubby is an army Chaplain, and my hubby is a Pastor – so the Lord has often called/moved us all) and we were only a day’s drive away from each other, so Becca invited us to come out and visit around Christmas. I wasn’t sure Jeremy would be able to get away with all the church stuff during the season, so our initial plan was flexible. (And yes, before you even ask, Becca and I *did* have a short conversation about “what if” our kids met again and hit it off… but I’ll come back to that later)

Sooooo… Christmas approached. We were all really excited about the visit. But I had a deadline fast approaching and Kayla and Jeremy both came down with colds. They were pretty miserable for a few days and we were supposed to be leaving very soon to head to Becca and Nathan’s. Our sweet friends had reserved us a great hotel for all of us to stay in and everything. But…I have to admit, I began to doubt. I didn’t want Jeremy and Kayla to be miserable on a trip. I knew Jeremy was exhausted from all he’d had going on. And of course, I was overwhelmed by all I had to do.

I went to talk to Jeremy about this – and laid out all the things I was worried about. “Should we take the trip?”

In my mind, I was thinking that he wouldn’t want to go. Becca and I have pretty much done anything and everything to be able to see one another and hang out, but I didn’t want to be selfish. It had been hard to see Kayla and Jeremy be so miserable with their colds, but at least they were feeling a bit better. But you know how it is when you’re a mom. You worry and fret about everyone and then worry about making the correct choice.

Jeremy though was quick to make the decision. He said, “Let’s go.”

And so we went.

Best. Trip. Ever.

Why? Well, Steven was visiting his parents for Christmas and was still there when we arrived. We had a blast playing games, eating, watching movies, and just hanging out as families that had been good friends for almost a decade.

And wouldn’t you know? A few weeks later, Steven and Kayla started dating.

In July, they were married.

Then in October, we were all on Skype together (Becca, Nathan, me, Jeremy, Steven and Kayla) when our kids shared the glorious news that in June we will get to meet the newest member to the family. (Yay for grandbabies!!!!!)

You see? Because I was worried and didn’t want to be selfish, I almost made a little decision about not going to see our precious friends. Even though Becca and I as authors would love to take credit for orchestrating this amazing romance, we can’t. I need to give credit to my husband. Granted, he didn’t match-make or orchestrate anything. But he said two little words that made it all happen. “Let’s go.”

And in all actuality, it was a bunch of little decisions that became a big decision that became life-changing.

Becca and I planned to get together.
Nathan and Becca made sure we had a place to stay.
Steven flew from NY to WA to see his parents.
Kayla came home from seminary for Christmas break.
The Woodhouses drove from MT to WA to see the Whithams.

The rest–as they say–is history.

Boy… am I ever thankful for our friends and for my husband making that little decision.

LOVE and FAMILY. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?

The Story of the Dress

There’s an amazing story to the gorgeous dress my daughter wore for her wedding. Even more incredible when you think of the pandemic and all the restrictions we’ve had the past few months.

When we knew they were going to get engaged and that a wedding was coming, the world was in the middle of the COVID craziness. Trying to figure out how on earth to find a dress when everything was closed was more than a little daunting. So my husband and I started brainstorming which led to me calling wedding dress shops all over the country. Lots and lots of phone calls.

The answer everywhere was, “we’re closed.” Heartbreaking news for the mother-of-the-bride just trying to find a place for her daughter to be able to find the dress of her dreams to marry the man of her dreams. And let me tell you, my daughter’s pretty low-maintenance. She didn’t have huge dreams or expectations of some crazy-elaborate wedding. She’s always wanted small and intimate. But she was hoping for a special dress. Even if it ended up just being her and her fiance (if because of the pandemic, none of the family could get there), we were fine with that. Because at the end of the day – big wedding or small – it was the vows between Kayla and Steven that mattered.

So of course, my husband and I wanted to give her at least the one wish – the dress. But how? The more we looked, called, searched… the more we realized it was going to take a miracle.

Enter SomethingBlueBride.com

Over a weekend, my husband had been putting his internet searching skills to work. Discovering that it appeared Iowa might actually have stores open, he told me I should start calling around on Monday. If we all had to drive to Iowa to try to find a dress, we would. So of course, on Monday, I did a little search and called this adorable store. The owner answered. (Katie is amazing. AMAZING.)

The pandemic was getting worse, and so restrictions were tightening, but Katie told me that on that very morning, she had launched a new program. It was called – Something Boxed. And we had the awesome opportunity to be her first customers for it.

So the next day, we had a virtual appointment and Katie had dresses set up throughout her store based on my daughter’s likes. After narrowing it down, my daughter received a beautiful box of wedding dresses shipped directly to her (she was in grad school, so she wasn’t even in the same state as me!) When they arrived, we had another virtual appointment and my daughter was able to try on the dresses while Katie gave her expert advice about alterations and such. The perfect dress was found – and oh my word, what a beautiful gown!!! Did you see the pictures? It’s perfect. Without Katie from Something Blue – we wouldn’t have been able to do this and so we are forever grateful. And it’s simply a privilege to know her because she’s one of the sweetest people on the face of the planet!

So I wanted to encourage you all, that even though we are in these crazy times, there are wonderful places like SomethingBlue that are doing outstanding things like SomethingBoxed and going above and beyond to help make dreams come true.

If you know a bride that is in the stages of trying to find her perfect dress – I urge you to steer them to SomethingBlue. I would give them 100 stars if I could. They are PHENOMENAL. You can also find the store on Facebook.

Goin’ to the Chapel…

Well… it’s official. The kids are married. It’s hard to believe that after all the adventures and fun Becca and I have had over the years, we now get to share something as cool as this.

The day of the wedding was absolutely beautiful. The bride was gorgeous. The groom so very handsome. And their faces… wow. What a joy as moms to get to see their love shining through.

Notice I’ve got my hand on Becca’s shoulder. I think we were both trying not to cry and hoping to hold it together. What a precious thing to be able share–our children marrying the love of their lives. It’s something we’ve prayed for our kids since before they were born. God is so good.

Lighting the Mother Candles for the Unity Candle

Some of my personal favorite moments of the day were people’s faces. Seeing my amazing husband’s face as he smiled walking our daughter down the aisle. Watching Steven’s face as he gazed at his bride coming toward him. Our daughter’s face beamed as she couldn’t take her eyes off her groom. Becca and Nathan’s faces as they rejoiced with their son. It was such a day full of JOY. Everywhere I looked.

So join us in celebrating the beginning of #TheAuthorMoms and be prepared for our craziness to come. Because believe me… there will be lots.

Kimberley