Every culture contains its customs and traditions, which we faced more of after the wedding for Miriam and Guilfer. The glowing couple entered the reception held in the community salon. I watched them with my heart bursting with love and joy, as they followed the red carpet looking and pointing at the elaborate decorations. Drawn to the huge wedding cake, Miriam grabbed her husband’s hand and hurried to check it out. Her big round eyes and smile showed me that it scored big with her.

Some not-so-pleasant customs occurred at this marriage celebration. The unity candle set disappeared after the wedding, and a friend played detective to hunt them down. He found them and the pillow that the couple had knelt on. They had been taken by a visitor. We soon learned that during any celebration, any decorations—on the tables or displayed on the walls—would be taken home by guests. The food had not even been served when the table decorations disappeared off of the table. However, the beautiful eight-tiered cake with royal blue frosting stood out even more than before. I focused on the cake and thanked the Lord that nobody could make off with it before the time of the couple’s cutting it.

The program for the reception followed according to plan. After the meal, some of the girls from Shadow of His Wings Orphanage did a dance presentation as a gift to the newly married couple. Guilfer kept busy kissing his bride whenever someone began banging their spoon on the table. Miriam, Guilfer, and some close friends shared their experiences that led the couple into this marriage. Soon the time came for the cake cutting, including the traditional “cake in your face” element. Lastly, the couple took their turn throwing the garter and the bouquet. Even with all of the activities, it went by too quickly.

After the reception, the bride and groom stood under a traditional decoration that hung from the ceiling. The netting above held a ton of rice, and while kissing under it, the ribbons that held the netting were pulled. As the rice fell, the couple looked like they were in a hail storm. Too soon, the time came for their departure for a short honeymoon at a water park resort nearby. Nobody,but us mothers, knew where they went and we had been sworn to secrecy.

Two days later when the couple returned, I learned another tradition about the gifts. Parents and close friends are invited to the new home, and the couple unwraps each present. We enjoyed this time of watching the glowing couple squeal, smile, or sigh after each gift.

Miriam and Guilfer enjoyed a celebration that may have seemed faraway or impossible based on life circumstances. The Lord, however, had a grand plan. Even with the mixture of customs and traditions, they enjoyed a dream come true. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of our other children would have the same opportunity. Lord, may all of their marriages be as special as this one, with your blessings all over it.