A Family Affair

When I walked into the St. Louis County courtroom this Wednesday to watch weddings, I had already missed Judge McShane presiding over the first couple's nuptials. The couple was almost out the door when the new wife made her new husband stop. Evidently, couple number one and two had become fast friends while waiting their turns and made a pact to witness each other's nuptials.

Since I've started attending these ceremonies, I've seen happy couples surrounded by small and large numbers of families and friends. I love this picture. Also, I noticed more than a few brides who were expecting. It was heartwarming to see couples wanting to be a family. Now that is a happy ending.







Formal dress attire isn't required for these weddings. I've seen short and long after-five dresses, matching denim outfits, and very casual attire. But this groom's orange tennis shoes stole the show. All right now.


One thing I noticed about Judge McShane was her patience or determination that each bride and groom repeat their vows. One groom even repeated the judge when it wasn't part of the vow for him to recite. I could hear soft chuckles.

More than once I heard Judge McShane say, "Until death do us part."

I could tell the words seemed to sink in with a few couples from the expression of awe on the brides' faces to the way the grooms held their hands. 

I fell in love with one couple. She was beautiful and the groom was handsome. And their personality was fun. My imagination could write their love story. Sitting as a spectator on the back row, she remarked at some of the couples' lack of affection, "What happened to kissing the bride?" Not only did they make a good-looking couple, they had a handsome son who couldn't stay awake for the big moment. 

I love her expression when they first stood before the judge. Either she's saying or thinking, "Hmm-mm." LOL

I did learn her soon-to-be husband's name is Stefan. There are two things about him that I'll never forget--hearing him say, "I do," and seeing him back it up with a wink. Sigh. There is something sexy about a man who winks at his woman.
Something tells me Stefan and his family are going to make it thirty plus years. God bless you guys in Jesus' name.

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Pat is the multi-published author of more than a dozen Christian titles and is a three-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.

As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. God is the Author who advances the stories she writes.

Pat is currently overseeing the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.

Read more about Pat and her books by visiting www.patsimmons.net or on social media.

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