and 2 became 1

Well, I went to Heather and Siddarth's wedding this weekend. It will probably be my last time as a bridesmaid. Which is fine with me! I was a bridesmaid 2 years in a row, then the next year a bride, 2 years later a bridesmaid, and then a bridesmaid again this summer. My four close friends are now married, and I should have no more opportunity to buy overpriced dresses that I only wear once!

The wedding was beautiful and sentimental. Classic, yet modern, simple, yet so elegant. I wouldn't call it elaborate, but it was colorful.

Heather's favorite color has always been red, and it came out here! And since red is also the color of happiness and weddings in India, it was fitting that their wedding should be red. (Heather and Sid met in India and plan on living there.)

Sid cried, Heather almost did. I cried, most of the bridesmaids cried. It was hard. The video of them growing up, and then meeting made me cry the 4 times I saw it. I thought about my little girl growing up and getting married and moving away (boo-hoo-hoo). Heather was everything a bride should be. Classic, beautiful and openly giving herself to her groom. Some weddings you go to and you aren't moved, you wonder what all the fuss was about, it was just a party, etc. No, this was different. Yes there was a cute story, yes there were mistakes, but it was beautiful and serious and you knew that they were taking this moment in their lives and making something of it. Watching them take communion, and talking to each other, well, I'm speechless. I remembered my wedding and the looks we shared, the tea that we served each other, and I remembered why I love my husband and how we have stuck with each other this far and how much greater our love is now.

After the reception I had to say goodbye. After the wedding Sid and Heather changed into traditional Indian wedding clothes, and they were gorgeous. I can't wait to get pics for all of you. It really hit home how she was leaving, to fulfill her dream and calling. She has already spent 2 1/2 years in India, but she is going back for even longer. They will be in Canada for at least 2 years, then India. But both of those are too far away. I want my Heather here, near me. I am so selfish. And a little jealous. She has followed through on what she always said she would do. She went to India. She met and married the man of her dreams. And now they are going to minister together in the country she loves. Good for both of them, but it doesn't change the fact that they are leaving. Nor does it change the fact that I feel that somehow I have failed for not doing the same thing. But I am not the same as her. And I never will be.

Amy also had to say goodbye over the weekend to close friends heading to South America. It never gets an easier. In fact, the longer you have known them and the closer you are to them, it is harder. Amy has had it happen to her more and more often lately. And everytime it is hard. There is a hole in your heart. And it will stay there until you see them again. New friends are wonderful, but not the same. And it would hurt if they were.

Okay, I am rambling, and it is getting late. More on Heather's wedding later. There is more to tell. Like how I had the worst luck that day with my hair, dress and shoes. Yet I lived to tell about it, and even laugh!