Mrs. Amanda Roth.

And just like that, she went from Miss Amanda Jennifer Young to Mrs. Amanda Roth…

On Friday, February 19, I watched with hints of tears glistening in my eyes as one of my very bests walked down the aisle towards her love, Tanner Wayne Roth. She looked absolutely glorious and because I had shared so much of the journey with her, I fully understood the weight and hope and answered prayers and excitement and joy she carried in each step. I heard about “her buddy Tanner” as Amanda saw him in the airport early one May morning as I prayed with her before she headed to Chicago for an ISM conference…little did I know… Then I heard SO MUCH MORE upon her return home. I think it was that night after I hugged her goodbye and went back inside and began washing dishes that I prayed, and through tears I whispered the words, “I know Lord, I know she’ll marry him.” Oh how grateful I am for the ways I was able to lean in and draw close to my sweet friend as she began dating, and then ultimately fell in love with Tanner. When he deployed I got to hear so much of her heart and walk that road with her hand in hand. Praying together through the darkest days and rejoicing in His glorious gifts as well. I remember the day she finally admitted she was in love with “Tandor the great” - she did it so subtly. She was renting a room in Placentia and it wasn’t necessarily everything she had envisioned when it came to sleeping there. I asked her how long she was planning to endure and she said something about it depending on how things went when Tanner came home…aka…she didn’t think she would NEED to be there long because very likely rings and wedding talk were in the near future. She was right and the engagement season was one I will forever treasure. I designed and dreamed and dress shopped and planned and prayed and partnered with Mands - the bridey - in all things blissfully beautiful. I got to be one of her right hand girls and helped make her wedding day dreams come true. I helped throw a lovely shower and was honored to be part of her day of treats, there were dress fittings and crafternoons, we have more emails and texts than I could ever count. So on Friday as I watched her walk down that aisle radiant in the iconic bridal glow, the tears in my eyes revealed the joy deep in my heart as I overflowed with gratitude. I listened to her vows knowing her heart for the Lord and for her husband, knowing her deep and unwavering commitment, her steadfast and strong desire to be faithful, and choosing to share in her covenant, knowing it will be my great honor and privilege to support and encourage her as she loves her husband and serves him all the days of her life. What a joy it is to write #thetalesofabridesmaid.