The BEST day

More than just about anything in this world, I wanted my mom to walk me down the aisle.  My father is not in the picture, and while I have many fatherly figures in my life, I can't imagine anyone more fitted to give me away.  My mom is a wonderfully quirky, fiercely intelligent, emotionally raw, and deeply intuitive woman.  Together, we have conquered relationships that grew and relationships that faded away, type 1 diabetes, learning disabilities, financial difficulties, and caring for my aging grandma for the last 10 years of her life.  Our road together has been bumpy, but I love her more and more every day.

CADASIL was introduced into our life in July 2012.  The following July, we took a road trip up the California coast as a bucket-list adventure.  Before Tom and I got engaged the following October, we talked about getting married and how important it was to me to have my mom be part of the ceremony.  I spent so much energy worrying about whether or not she would be able to attend our wedding.  CADASIL slowly attacks your body through small strokes and occasionally, individuals with CADASIL suffer from major strokes impairing ones ability to speak, walk, even move.  My mom will be 63 in May and many individuals with CADASIL are fully dependent by the age of 60.  Look at her - she is beautiful, independent, and thriving.  

Four months after our engagement, Tom and I got married.  My mom held my arm, gently kissed my cheek, and gave me away to the man she knows will love and support me through everything life throws our way.  It was a day I will cherish for as long as I walk this earth.