Dear Cornerstone family,
It’s not every week you get to walk your daughter down the aisle.
As a good number of you will know, my oldest daughter, Rosalyn, got engaged in April of last year to a godly young man, Michael. Rosalyn and Michael met in high school and were a part of the same friend group. Michael worked up the nerve to ask Rosalyn out his senior year, and as the Lord would have it, four years later I’m walking Rosalyn down the aisle to give her away in marriage.
The marriage of Michael and Rosalyn is especially sweet for Christy and me since Michael’s last name is Koellein. Some of you will recognize that last name. Charles and Karen Koellein are long-time members of Cornerstone; Michael is Charles and Karen’s grandson. And if that weren’t blessing enough, Michael is the nephew of long time Cornerstone members, Preston and Martha Brooks. Preston is an elder and Martha is our Women’s Director.
All that to say, you need to pray for the Koelleins and Brookses, for they are inescapably tied to the Shurden clan now. Heaven knows that is bound to take its toll. As far as the Shurdens go, we feel ourselves to be in “high cotton,” as my father would say. “The lines have fallen in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6) for us. We couldn’t be happier.
I’ve been asked two dozen or more times this week, “Did you officiate the service?” Yes, I did. But I was very hesitant to do so. As you know, being Father of the Bride is a very special role, and I wasn’t eager to complicate things by officiating the wedding as well. But when the bride and groom told me that it would mean a lot to them for me to officiate, I caved.
Not long after I agreed, I began questioning the decision. I knew giving away my girl was going to hit me in a tender spot, so I wasn’t confident I could keep it together through the ceremony. I tried to get out as many tears as I could in the days leading up to the wedding in hopes the river might run dry. Alas, I wasn’t entirely successful.
At the start of the ceremony, I was on the verge of tears. I had to slow down during the reading of Scripture to maintain composure. I realized pretty quickly that looking at my beautiful daughter was going to be tough, so I averted my gaze whenever I felt like I might lose it.
Things went smoothly until I got to the pronouncement. “By virtue of the authority given to me by the church of Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you…” and then it hit me. After a sniffling and teary pause, I whispered, “I love you,” to Michael and Rosalyn and choked my way to the end.
Yes, it was hard, but it was beautiful, too. It was an honor I’ll never forget.
One big sadness Christy and I felt was not being able to have everyone we love present with us on the special day. Christy said again this week, “I just wish we could have invited the whole church.” I feel the same.
Though everyone couldn’t be present in person, your impact on Rosalyn was present. For you taught her in children’s Sunday School. You walked with her in her teen years, through the ups and downs. Many of you recently showered her with gifts to help her and Michael furnish their apartment. In a word, you loved her, and your love was present with us on the wedding day. For that, we are eternally grateful.
Your servant,
