When I was a little girl, my grandmother lived with my Mother and I for a few years. She had the bedroom at the front of the house and I could remember waking up and peeking into her room each morning to see if she was awake. She always was. She was usually sitting up in her rocking chair by the window…glasses on…reading a book. It’s what she did and I loved everything about it.

My grandmother passed away when I was in grade six and it was my first experience with losing someone I loved. It was hard to process at my age and truthfully, I didn’t really process at all for a while. Once the pain and grieving set in, I began to notice something; the lights would always go out. Everywhere I went…the lights would go out. I would walk home in the evening and the streetlights would all go out. I would be sitting in a restaurant and the light above our table would go out. The light on my voicemail indicator would go out and the clock light on our microwave went out. Everywhere I would go…the lights would go out. And more so, it would happen during times of heighten emotion…when I was especially happy or sad…peaceful or anxious…lonely or in love.

Maybe I’m crazy…maybe I’m not…but I have always just believed that it was her; my sweet grandmother…reminding me that I wasn’t alone. And we never really are alone. Not in our joy and not in our sorrow.

And I believe that Kristen and Phil understand this better than most…

The day of their wedding was less than ideal. It didn’t just rain…it poured. Torrentially. Their outdoor ceremony was soon covered in a tent and their outdoor reception site was covered as well. The umbrellas were brought out in masses…and we planned to go forth anyways. At best, the forecast called for 90% chance of torrential rain all day instead of 100%. And that was the best case scenario.

Until it wasn’t.

Until the crowds gathered at their ceremony site under the tent. Until Phil came down to anticipate the arrival of his bride. Until Kristen walked out the doors of the beautiful Maplehurst Manor and onto the front steps.

Until it didn’t just stop raining…but the clouds parted and the sun shone through.

Until we were reminded on the day of a truly beautiful union…that we are never really alone…