Forever His Flower Girl

October 11th was a good day for the Samantha. She was pampered, she was complimented, she was one of the stars of the show. Right up her alley...or aisle as it may be.

October 11th was the day her Godfather, Scott (a.k.a. Wayne), was married to a beautiful young lady named Jennifer and Sammi got to be the flower girl. Sammi was very excited about being in the wedding, wearing her Princess-like dress and walking down that aisle. She had practiced her walk. She had asked questions about how to throw the petals. And the day was finally here!!

On Friday night, I took her to dress rehearsal at St. Mary's Church in Marne. Within about five minutes, she had made fast friends with the ring bearer and was planning "play dates" for after the wedding. That's our Sammi...never a dull moment and never at a loss for social skills!! She wanted to wear her 'best outfit' for Uncle Wayne because she knew that she had a very important job to do and so she picked out this little purple number - complete with ballet flats, a new headband and, of course, my necklace and make up. She was such a good girl and did everything that she was told to do. I was so very proud of her:) She got to enjoy a little bit of the after-rehearsal celebration back in Muskegon and was so overjoyed when she opened her present from Uncle Wayne and Aunt Jen - a new heart-shaped jewelry box with her "short name Sammi" engraved in it. She opened it up and found three beautiful pearl bracelets as well. What a great surprise for this little girl. She was walking on clouds when I put her to bed that night.

The next morning, we were off to get hair done and get back to Marne for pictures. It was one of the most precious things I've ever seen. The photographer called up the little kids for a full wedding party photo and then started to rearrange the groups of people for other shots. She asked Wayne to join Jen's wedding attendants for a picture and Sammi was standing there next to him, holding his hand. I cry just thinking about the picture - it was one of those moments that will not soon be forgotten. She just looked up at him with such love and admiration...priceless.

The wedding was beautiful and elegant...a little girls dream come true. Sammi was a little scared going down the aisle, but she pulled it off without incident and did a fabulous job walking slowly like she practiced and dropping berry colored petals in front of her new Aunt Jen. And the bride...well let's just say that Wayne is a lucky, lucky man. I've never seen him more happy and I've not seen a more beautiful bride for quite some time.

After the wedding, Sammi got to hang out in the limo before the wedding party took off for a little joy ride and she thought THAT was the best part of the day! Kids...I tell you. We ended the day at Moss Ridge Golf Club for a wonderful reception. Sammi had a ball playing with all of the Florida cousins (not her real cousins, but she doesn't seem to care!!), especially Lauren. She was dancing, having a blast and loving every minute of it. She even did multi-rounds of the chicken dance!!

As a side note, my favorite part of the reception was when the wedding party danced together. Sammi was a little afraid to dance with the ring bearer so her Uncle Wayne picked her up off her feet, carried her over to the dance floor and danced with her in his arms. It was precious and heart-warming and, of course, I cried like a baby. I'd bet my lucky stars that moment will never leave that little girl's heart.

From experience I know that being a flower girl is special. My Aunt Lori and Uncle Scott, thirty four years later, still call me their little flower girl. We sometimes pull out the pictures of their wedding and giggle at how little I was, how cute my brother was in a tux, and...well, yes, we have to laugh at Aunt Denise' hat!! Sorry, honey, but it is a MUST!! Just too funny. But it is a connection with them that I will have my whole life. It is a connection that Sammi will have with Wayne and Jen her whole life.

She will always be his little flower girl...

...and that is worth more than words can say.