Thursday, September 24, 2009

.....The Rest of the Story

I do love the expressions captured in this picture....a moment forever frozen in time.



Those of you that guessed from seeing this picture on yesterday's post that the little girl was Joy were absolutely right. (However, those that thought it could be me as a little girl actually made a pretty good guess also as our childhood pictures look alot alike.) But there really was more to this story and that's why I was wondering if anyone could guess what was going on. (More on that later on this post).....first a little background on it.

This photo was taken over six years ago, in June of 2003. Joy was the flower girl in my cousin's wedding (Lindsey). Lindsey had a very unusual, but beautiful, wedding as it took place at 7:00 a.m. (Yes, that's 7:00 in the morning, people!). We had to have Joy there around 5:30 that morning! I think we got up at 4:00 that morning because she slept in curlers and I did her hair for the wedding that morning. Lindsey and J.R. were the lucky winners of an all expense paid wedding by a local news channel. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. It was broadcast on TV that morning.





My nephew, Kemper, was the ring bearer. Kemper is one year older than Joy and they have always had a close relationship too as cousins. Joy was four and Kemper five. They looked so cute together and were really excited to be in Lindsey's wedding (and to be on TV). Here are a few pictures of the two of them.













During the wedding....walking down the aisle.




Here's Joy with the pretty bride, Lindsey.



Now on with the story......

Actually this picture was taken at the reception, after the wedding. That is my cousin, Nathan, holding Joy. He is the bride's brother.



Joy has always been a "people" person and rarely meets a stranger. She has always in particular, liked Nathan, and Nathan has always taken time to interact with her at family gatherings. And who wouldn't like Nathan? He is a fun sweet guy....you know the kind that's the life of the party! She always looked forward to seeing him. Well, on this particular day, she chose to be different! Nathan came up to her several times at the reception asking her to dance with him. She suddenly got this very shy I-don't-want-to-dance attitude with him and wouldn't budge. But Nathan was a very wise guy. Joy really wanted a piece of wedding cake (her favorite kind) and they hadn't gotten around to cutting the cake yet. Nathan waited for his moment, right after the cake had been cut, and then came over and asked Joy for a dance. Well, of course she turned him down flat again (I think the girl was just tired from being up so early), but then he used his wild card and offered to "dance her over to the cake". What magic that worked! In the picture, he was slowly working his way toward the cake, and I have no idea what he was saying to her, but she looks so solemn and I just love the expressions on both of their faces!

And here we go....mission accomplished....Joy got her cake and Nathan got his dance!



And about two years ago, at Nathan's very own wedding, he had no trouble at all getting this little girl (then 8) to dance with him! As a matter of fact, I think he had three little girls dancing with him at one time! (I told you he was the life of the party)! I have a picture of that somewhere, but couldn't find it!

Gosh, how is it that my little girl has grown up so much in these past six years?

And now you know..............the rest of the story. :)

16 comments:

Never So Simple said...

Joy is so cute and how well behaved she looks. That's early for anyone but for a four year old to look and act so grown up all I can say is WOW! Joy has always been such a little lady and now at four what a great Mom! You have raised an angle! I loved the picture and that Nathan is a cutie!

Donna

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Awww... what a sweet remembrance, Tammy.

My cousin's daughter was three when we got married. She shadowed me all day and you can even see her standing right behind me when I threw the bouquet. When we left the reception, I gave her my actual bouquet because I had no way to preserve it before going on our honeymoon. As my cousin tells it, she clutched that bouquet all the way home and for days afterward.

There's nothing sweeter than a little girl at a wedding...

Come on over tomorrow for Caramel Apple Bars...

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

What sweet pictures. Our children grow up way too fast.

Someday it will be her wedding everyone will dance at. I experienced that not long ago. It makes a large difference in your life.

Enjoy her now, as I know you do.

Maxine

Shelley said...

I enjoyed these wedding photos! Joy is just a doll (and still is!!)

momstheword said...

Goodness, that was one early wedding. I was wondering why it was so early but once I knew it made sense!

She looks so beautiful!

Mandie said...

What great memories! They sure do grow up fast, boohoo.

Janene said...

Joy looks so little in this picture.
So beautiful then and twice as beautiful now!!
What a great story...and wonderful pictures to go with it!
Thank you for sharing with us!

Blessed Beyond said...

Awww, Tammy, Joy sure was a beautiful flower girl! Just precious!!! She is trully a beautiful girl! I loved all the pictures!

I love the girly tomboy! That so does describe Lil E! It's amazing to me, just how much Joy and Lil E have in common! I hope I can do half the job at raising my girls, as you have done with your kids!

Hugs and Blessings,

Anonymous said...

what a sweet story!! and that Nathan, what a cutie!! woo hoo!!

Thanks for sharing!!Joey will be a beautiful bride some day!!

Jill from NY

Leslie said...

Tammy,
I'm trying to be a good girl and catch up with my blogger friends....I"m so behind!

That was a cute story and what a beautiful wedding. :)

Have a great weekend!

Leslie

My Colonial Home said...

Tammy what a beautiful story.
And the wedding was wonderful.
Thanks for sharing this bit of your life.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Tammy, I had a feeling yesterday that it was Joy in the picture!! The picture of her and Kemper is absolutely precious!! I love both of their expressions shown in each picture of them... So sweet!! Nathan looks and sounds like a fun loving fellow!! I loved the way he persuaded Joy into having that dance!! Lindsey was a very beautiful bride! That was so neat that they won an all expense paid wedding...WOW!! That didn't happen to be on the "Today" morning show was it?? The name Lindsey rings a bell in my mind. I like to watch when they have the viewers choose out the couple, then choose the wedding gown and wedding rings, honeymoon place, etc...

I still have the outfit that Daniel wore as ring bearer at my nephew's wedding, and Daniel was 6 years old at that time.. When I see that outfit, it seems like it was just not all that long ago that he wore that outfit, but, it has been 18 years ago now.. They sure do grow up fast!! Too fast!!

Have a wonderful weekend Tammy!!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn/Okc

Sharon said...

Those are beautiful photos.
I love the way he got her to dance with him.
Joy is so beautiful.
Yes, they do grow up way to fast.
have a great weekend.
God bless.

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

No problem, Tammy. You can leave your link anytime before Sunday evening. I can't wait to see what you've been making...

Debbie said...

What a great story along with some beautiful pictures. Joy is so cute and I can see why Nathan gets the attention. He's cute! There is something about a man in a tux! lol Don't tell my husband I said that.

Take Care and have a great weekend,
Debbie

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

I loved being in that wedding, mommy! I remember the night that we listened to Lindsey's voicemail asking me to be in the wedding! I was asking YOU a babjillion questions on what a flower girl was! :) I love these photos!

8!
Love, Joy =D