7:30 a.m. Sunday morning: In less than eight hours my youngest son, Alex, is getting married. It is so hard to believe that my “little man” who loved Zorro and Ninja Turtles is about to get married to a beautiful lady named Danielle. Bobbi and I have known Danielle since she was in 8th grade. Alex and Danielle are now 23 – how did the years go by so quickly?

I had officiated the wedding of his two older brothers, Jonathan and David. Their wives are beautiful and magnificent as well. They have also provided Bobbi and me two unbelievably wonderful grandchildren, Sofia and Michael. As I get the privilege of sitting next to my wife this afternoon at the wedding; my dear friend Keith Matthews will officiate. I am so pleased at how Alex and Danielle have lived their lives before God. I wonder what their wedding day will be like?

10 a.m. Sunday morning: The worship service has started at The Way. I can see Bobbi is crying. I know it is because of joy and gratitude for this special wedding day. My message is on Jeremiah 1, and I cannot look at Bobbi because I will start crying, too. It is such a joy to serve as one of the teaching pastors at The Way. The music and the Eucharist always have a profound impact on me! Today was no different.

11:10 a.m. Sunday morning: Bobbi leaves right after the service to get her hair done for the wedding. I get to spend time with God’s flock. I love listening and talking to them. I get a special kick with little Ben. He and his sisters are adorable. Keith and Krista Matthews attended the service. I feel blessed to call them dear friends. The pastor from the Church of the Hills visited us – I really like Pastor Raymond. The wedding is on my mind and I find myself praying for Alex and Danielle.

12:30 p.m. Lunch with the Matthews and Bobbi: We had lunch at Pizza Nova. We talked about the wedding, Danielle, Alex, Azusa Pacific University, teaching, pastoring, wedding, Danielle, and Alex. I feel peaceful. It is relaxing being with all of them.

3:00 p.m. Put suit on for wedding, hoping pants fit. They do! It is going to be a good day! Bobbi looks fantastic. Hanging around the house trying not to spill anything on me.

4:45 p.m. Wedding starts. The mothers of the groom and bride enter. It is hot outside at the Bernardo Winery, but beautiful. My older boys are two of the groomsmen in the party of five. The bridesmaids all look beautiful. My soon-to-be-married son looks handsome and happy. The bride is simply stunning. The flower girl is my three- year-old granddaughter. She stops to pose for the crowd when she hears a camera go off. It must be the longest flower girl walk in history. There is no better feeling than to be surrounded by family, friends, and celebrate something as holy as a wedding. No one forgets their lines. They are officially husband and wife.

7:00 p.m. Wedding party is a blast. I danced, Bobbi danced, my grandson danced, our children and their wives danced, and people that we didn’t even know danced. I danced with the bride and the five bridesmaids all at the same time. At times, I danced with my hands up. Other times, I danced swinging my coat around. And one time, I danced with my tie around my dancing partner. Now, I did all this sober, mind you – I must be very happy! It was fine dancing with friends. Candi said all this dancing is going to help her as she weighs in at Jenny Craig tomorrow.

10:00 p.m. Bobbi and I arrive home from the wedding party. Danielle and Alex are spending the night at Rancho Bernardo Inn before they fly the next day to Cabo. We are so happy, blessed, and tired. And my knees are KILLING ME!

That was my day at my son’s wedding. God, you are so good! Bless their lives, filled them with your peace, create in them a greater love for you and each other. Amen.

Tony Baron+

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