Tomorrow, my family is heading to Tulsa for the wedding event of the year. You see, my niece, Macy, is getting married this weekend. I couldn't be more excited, but it's a little bittersweet for me.
You see Macy is one of my very most favorite people in the world...she has been from the moment I laid eyes on her. I am the youngest child of two parents who were also youngest children. On top of that I was a "surprise" so out of all our family, I was the youngest by a mile. My brother and his lovely wife only had one child, which means she was the only niece or nephew I had. I didn't have children of my own for a very long time and didn't have younger people even in our extended family until Macy showed up. To say that I fell in love with her would be the world's biggest understatement.
Macy quickly became a little bit of everything to me. At times, I felt like she was as close to a child as I would have....many times I felt like she was the little sister I would never actually have in my life. But always....ALWAYS, I loved her and looked forward to spending time with her. When she was very small, she gave me a fluorescent bracelet that she won at Chuck E. Cheese and asked me to wear it. I wore that thing for the better part of 4 or 5 years. Yeah, it probably was strange to see a grown man wearing a fluorescent bracelet, but Macy asked me to do it, and I would do just about anything for her.
Now she's about to put another piece of jewelry on a guy, but this one is MUCH more significant. She is getting married. Macy is amazing. I realize that I'm biased, but she is. She is one of the most grounded people I know. Macy has a huge heart and cares deeply about people. I suppose her heart is the thing I'm the most proud of. There are no words that will adequately relay to you the size of her heart or the way she cares for people. At the core of who she is, there is a goodness that we are all born with but most lose over the years. Macy hasn't lost that core goodness. A large portion of that is undoubtedly her amazing parents and the way she was raised, but I believe a bigger portion of it is simply who she is. Many people have to try and be nice...I think it comes very naturally to her. Again, I well up with pride at the woman she has grown into.
Now here's an even more amazing part of the story. I am actually pretty crazy over the guy she has chosen to spend her days with. There was NOBODY that was going to be good enough for my niece in my eyes. I would learn to put up with whomever she picked, but I certainly wouldn't think he was qualified enough to take care of my niece...But then I met Joel. I can honestly say that I couldn't have hand picked a better dude than Joel for Macy. Watching him interact with her is just great. And it's not just her. Watching him interact with my Mom, or my daughter, or anyone...The dude is classy. And it's genuine, not a put on. I remember when I first met him I thought he was very nice, but knew there would be another side of him once he was comfortable with the family. I have yet to see the guy be anything other than a true gentleman to those around him...most importantly my niece. And bonus Uncle points, he LOVES music and the Boston Celtics are his favorite basketball team. Score!
I have no doubts about Joel and Macy and their ability to have a long lasting love. Not a single doubt. Seriously. That's how great they are for each other. I'd be more than willing to put my money on a life time of love. I didn't say happiness because we all know that's fairy tale stuff. There absolutely will be struggle, and hard times and hurt. But I'm convinced their love is tailor suited for each other and will allow them to get through the "bad stuff" that comes to all of us in life.
So this weekend, I get the opportunity to watch one of my most favorite and loved people in the world marry the man of her dreams. I'm so blessed to get to watch these two become one. I'm pretty sure I'll shed a tear when I see Macy in her wedding dress. I'll be picturing the little girl that at one time wanted to marry me and wear her "life size Barbie" doll's dress and all the memories in between that time and now that have led to this most amazing day. Outside of my own marriage and the potential of maybe seeing my daughter one day get married, there is absolutely not another person in the world I could be more happy for than Macy. I can't wait!!!
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