there is love

The bride's mother gave the bride away at the wedding we attended this past weekend. After the ceremony, I found myself standing in line with the bride's mom at the buffet table.

"I'm Chanelle's mummy," she said to me, smiling.

"Hi, nice to meet you," I smiled back. "I'm Karen, Marcus' wife." Marcus had been MC-ing the reception. "You were beautiful today, giving Chanelle away."

A tense look immediately crossed her face.

"Oh, I don't know. I've never seen it done before. But, you know, Chanelle's father died. Her uncle was supposed to give her away, but he ended up not being able to make it. So she asked me to do it. It was so strange... I've never seen it done this way before..."

I interrupted her.

"Well, you were beautiful. You were both beautiful. And it was wonderful seeing a mother do the honours for a change. Really."

She looked at me, and searched my face. Then she smiled.

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you very much."

Happy Love Thursday, everyone -- as I do every week, I'm really looking forward to looking at your pictures and reading your stories about love. Be sure to publish the links to your love blog posts in the comments below, and upload your love photos in the Love Thursday Flickr Pool.

In other news, Irene Nam and I were thinking of starting a "love is all around" blog -- featuring stories that we hear about love, but most importantly, featuring our favourite photos that you guys submit on Love Thursday. What do you think -- up for having your photography skills prominently portrayed on a new site? If you photographs are chosen, obviously we'd give your personal blogs link love on the site. Please let us know what you think in the comments -- if you like the idea, we're going to try to have it up and running next week.

And, of course, as always, may your days be filled with love.

__________

Comments

[julie]

You've captured a beautiful moment of a bride with her mother.

We're honoring generations of love at our site this week.

http://robandjulie.blogspot.com/2006/09/love-thursday-generations.html

Thanks, Karen!

[owlhaven]

Over at my house, love is a bandaid

http://owlhaven.wordpress.com/2006/09/27/love-is/

Mary, mom to many

[Tina]

Karen,

My mom gave my sister away at her wedding and after that I had always wished I had had her give me away at mine. It is SUCH a loving tribute.

My love is my love:

http://thoughtsmostlysahm.blogspot.com/

[laurie]

Beautiful picture and lovely story, as usual. And I think the "love is all around" blog is a charming idea. It's fun going through all your comments each week, and I'd love to see yours and Irene's interpretations of what you see and read from us. More love! More love!

Meanwhile, mine's a little weird this week.
http://www.leapdesign.com/upsideup/?p=143

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

[Colleen]

Your love blog idea? Sounds great!

Love Thursday at The Delaney Diaries?
A boy and his bike

http://delaneydiaries.typepad.com/the_delaney_diaries/2006/09/love_thursday_a.html

[Briana]

A man and his beloved... camera.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!

Here's mine:
http://dillyweed.blogspot.com/2006/09/i-love-my-camera-thursday.html

[Dawn Siler]

Wonderful story, I do so look forward to reading your blogs, and I especially look forward to Love Thursdays!

I think that "Love is All Around" will be a wonderful blog.

Here's my addition.

Happy Love Thursday!!

http://healthyartmom.typepad.com/healthy_art_mom/

[Mary Jo]

Here is my addition.

http://www.mylifetransformed.net/?p=440

Happy Love Thursday everyone!!

[Tamra]

:-) Gorgeous!

[Mieneke]

What a lovely story. The wedding looks so beautiful.

My Love Thursday is up too:

http://myinnerworld.blogspirit.com/archive/2006/09/27/love-thursday-tallulah.html

[Lori]

Aww, how neat! Thanks for sharing it. Mine is now up.

[Waya]

The silent love and the bond in this picture between a Mom and a daughter is priceless!! Beautiful photo.

And a LOVE BLOG?! I'm loving it! We could all use some luuuuvvv in this world.

Thanks for reading my post.
http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/09/27/my-sisters-my-best-of-friends/

[Carmen]

That is a stunning photo, Karen. You have an amazing eye.

My photo is up over at my place.

I'd be up for the love blog. How cool is that?

[arubagirl]

A love blog? Wow, that'd be a first, I think.

Here is my entry:

http://arubagirl.typepad.com/lost_in_smallness/2006/09/shadow_and_ligh.html

[Bozoette Mary]

May all your days be circus days! Mine's up:
http://bozoette.typepad.com/red_nose/2006/09/love_is_a_circu.html
And I think a love blog is... well, lovely!

[Pass the Torch]

Beautiful photo and beautiful wedding story. Mine's about apple-picking.

http://2passthetorch.com/2006/09/28/love-thursday/

I love your idea about the love photo blog. I love photography, and really love LOVE photography!

[Jenni]

A love blog could be inspiring on those long and tedious days when nothing seems to be right in the world.

http://innej54.blogspot.com

[Bethany]

The blog is a great idea!

Here's my take on "love is all around."

http://iwilllosethisweight.blogspot.com/2006/09/love-thursday-love-is-all-around.html

[Jennifer]

http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com/as_cozy_as_spring/2006/09/i_love_that_thi.html

Sincere thank you for starting this!

[Dana]

I wrote about Puppy Love! My first Love Thursday! Yay! http://thedanafiles.com/?p=15

[Lala]

My mother is going to kill me for this but I'm going to do it anyway. My mother gave me away so I'm going to put it out there.
http://www.lala.totsgo.com/2006/09/i_love_thursday.html

[marian]

Very sweet post, Karen.

Here's mine

http://kirala.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/09/how_can_it_be_t.html

[gunky]

both of my parents walked me down the aisle - and both of my husband's parents walked HIM down the aisle.

yea for new traditions! your post is gorgeus.

here's mine: http://gunky.typepad.com/gunky/2006/09/some_winks.html

[gunky]

(oops, got a little excited there, i forgot to mention that) the love blog sounds rad!

[ellen]

Love is a baby at 1AM, right? Enjoy:
http://sophialandrum.blogspot.com/2006/09/love-thursday_28.html