It’s like raaa-a-ain on your wedding day...

...which is bound to happen, if you get married in the tropics in the middle of hurricane season. Thanks, Laura. 

Tropical storm notwithstanding, Jamielynn and Rafa finally tied the knot. The road to the altar was anything but easy. Due to COVID-19's various manifestations - the prohibition of public gatherings, flight cancellations, government shutdowns, the resurgence of curfew, etc. - their Big Day was rescheduled twice, and loved ones on multiple continents who had planned to come were relegated to Facebook Live. Then, Saturday's ceremony started on "island time" on account of overzealous hair and makeup artists. The grace with which these two handled every setback was a testament to the faith on which their relationship is founded and constantly pointed me to my Savior. 

My role in wedding weekend was picking up Jamielynn's sister Elizabeth and her fiancé Garrett on Friday. We went straight to the Krey house, site of Jamielynn and Rafa's civil ceremony, and barely missed it; passing the judge on the way out. The only weddings that are legally binding in the DR are those performed in the Catholic church, so they had to arrange a time to make their union official in the eyes of the government, which required two Dominican witnesses (Rev. Yban Navarro and his wife Marta). The wedding party and friends celebrated until curfew that night with a backyard BBQ and photo slideshow. 

More celebrating ensued at the reception, once more until curfew, that is. The (covered!) venue was lovely, greeting everyone with a welcome drink and creating a beautiful, cozy setting for toasts, the first dance, father/daughter and mother/son-in-law dances (no further dancing was allowed, but you didn't see me complaining), lunch, and cake cutting. An innovative guest book had us all snapping Polaroid pictures, and Jamielynn's extended family surprised her by continuing the Tinkey tradition of writing a song parody for the newlywed couple - via video. 

Here's me with 1) Kelsey (a friend from church); 2) Mr. and Mrs. Flores!; and 3) Carlos & Berkis (a Venezuelan seminary student and his wife). 

Jamielynn & Rafa's wasn't my first corona wedding; rather, it was my 3rd! Working backwards...

My plus one and I watched my high school friend Liz get married in Iowa on August 1. 

I watched part of my CPH friend Hannah's outdoor ceremony in MI on July 25, until the iPhone camera overheated and the video froze! (They did, in fact, go through with their vows, and Hannah later shared the photographer/videographer's recording of the ceremony in its entirety.)

None of these couples will ever forget the circumstances under which their lives together began. Pray that they might remain steadfast in their faith and in the promises they made to one another, and that their love might always be a picture of Christ's sacrificial love for His bride, the Church. 

Until next time, blessings!