Icing on the cake

1. The promise of one of these babies is how we got Samuel to sit through the big group shots at my brother's wedding Sept. 30. He devoured ... a lot.

2. Yoo-hoo, kids! This way. The camera is over here (snaps fingers).

3. Hmm. Not sure if this is an improvement. Note Samuel ready to bop Elise's head with a bouquet, and the handprint on the glass door in the background.

4. Ah, yes, the magic of weddings and kids. Where bouquets become helicopters or feather dusters, depending on your need, where chocolate sticks become swords, where little boys mutute into little men.

5. Hoo-boy.

6. It was a long night, and Lisee was pooped.

7. Uncle Matt gave James a skateboard for being his ring bearer. (James was nervous, but he did great!)

8. Skateboarding tips from the guy in a sling? Yeah, I have a bridge to sell, too. Grandpa Jim had surgery to reattach a tendon the week before the wedding. A night of well wishes took its toll. Hugs hurt.

9. The extremely happy couple. We love you guys!

I love wedding receptions. I love the sparkle, the best-dress best behavior, the love in the air, the excitement there to rub off on you like so many loose sequins.

I worked at a wedding reception center for five years. As a hostess, I loved being a part of the bride and groom's big day. Sometimes, I admit, there were couples whose moods and interactions, at an occasion that should bring out their best, made me nervous for their future. Most of the time, though, I ended my shifts inspired by couples' happiness. Along with the styrofoam boxes of occasional extra goodies (my family's favorite perk), I took home a renewed desire to make my own marriage shine. Yep, I love wedding receptions.

My husband hates them.

His disdain is legendary, so much so that when a rare business trip landed on the same day as my brother's wedding, I questioned the coincidence. At first. Just to joke. "You'll do anything to get out of a wedding," I teased.

Really, it was out of Jeff's control. He felt badly (I think!) about missing such an important event. Because, it must be said, his support of family supplants his own likes and dislikes. Perhaps a very model of marriage behavior.

I wish Jeff had been able to come. He certainly was on my mind. While waiting for the ceremony to start, my Aunt Susan said something that made me reflect on all Jeff does.

My children looked fantastic, if I do so say myself. Commenting on this, Aunt Susan said hey, all you need to do is get a family portrait tonight, and your Christmas card is practically done. Yes, I replied, except that Jeff is out of town.

"Oh!" Aunt Susan laughed. "I thought he was just behind the scenes doing his thing!" So Jeff gets credit.

The wedding was beautiful. Matt and Brooklynn are a fun-loving, affectionate pair, and I am so thrilled for them. My brother's countenance is different for knowing Brooklynn. I have never seen him so happy. She brings out his best.

It was weird to look at the video montage playing during their reception, to see pictures of Matt with looks I had not seen, to sadly suppose these shots marked periods where I didn't see him often. I talked to many of my friends in the weeks leading up to this wedding, telling them how excited I was. I realized I said the same words over and over: that because of Brooklynn, and the importance she places on family, I have a treasured relationship with my brother again. Such a wonderful new sister is a bonus.

I met many of Brooklynn's family for the first time at their wedding dinner the night before (something else Jeff missed, sigh). We had an assembly line of introductions. When her especially attractive friend (we're talking movie star quality here) said, "I'm Amber, and this is my husband, Doug," Brooklynn's uncle brought down the house with his disappointed "Shoot!"

Many of Brooklynn's family were surprised when I introduced myself as Matt's older sister. "I thought you were younger. He always calls you his little sister," one told me. Sure, because I'm short!

In a world where height doesn't equate with age or experience, Matt and Brooklynn, I'm still looking up to you, inspired by the happiness so clearly written on your faces. I just love weddings.