My sister Allison -- she's #5 of the 6 of us daughters -- got married May 29, 2009 to the love of her life, Sergeant Joe Vargas. It was a beautiful ceremony on the beach. Just the immediate families. And you could see how much in the love they were and so happy for this day.
Watching my father on this happy occasion, I was suddenly acutely aware of what it is to be a parent, and the bittersweet moment this must be. My parents know that Joe will always take care of Allison. And they love each other so much. But it also catches you a bit in your throat, thinking that your little girl is grown up.
Kylie provided the perfect juxtaposition to this moment. She loved being at the beach. I watched her and Matt run around in the sand. Laughing. Kylie would run to me and scooped her up. Just 20 months old. Small enough to hold, and life is just fun.
Kylie was holding Allison's flowers during the ceremony. I saw her holding those flowers and looking at Matt, and I couldn't help but tear up. There in the background, my sister was exchanging vows with Joe. And I was seeing the image that I know I will recall years from now as Matt and I stand by Kylie at her own wedding.
What a tear jerker!
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