feels like home

Lyssa and Shawn journeyed about as far as one can — from South Africa to Fulton, Missouri — to be married. What a trip (20 hours in transit) and what a wedding! Friends and relatives came from across the U.S., and several made the long trip from South Africa to be at the celebration. I think my favorite shot of the day is of all of Lyssa & Shawn’s guests standing together in the aisle of The Church of St. Mary, Aldermanbury (Westminster College campus)…how appropriate that Lyssa & Shawn chose to marry in this light-filled, airy church that has itself journeyed to a new home (it was re-erected in Fulton stone-by-stone after being destroyed in London during WWII).

Shari’s (Lyssa’s mom’s) creativity was evident in every detail, from the giraffe and zebra stools for nieces and nephews at the rehearsal dinner to the safari-print paper cones holding rose petals that guests tossed as Lyssa & Shawn ducked.

And what a memorable reception! The toasts (speeches?!) were more moving, entertaining and substantive(!) than any I’ve experienced; it’s not often that the words of Maya Angelou, Winston Churchill and Thabo Mbeki are invoked in the brief span of time between salad and main course. (Shawn, I’m with you. I’d swap the the American tradition of cake-in-face-smashing for the South African tradition of reception speechmaking any time! Hey, thanks to Lyssa, you dodged that one nicely!)

So, safe journey home to you, Lyssa & Shawn. I was so taken with you two; I hope our families cross paths again soon. And thanks for introducing me to new music. The song you chose for your first dance, Chantal Kreviazuk’s “Feels Like Home,” is lovely. It’s also perfect for your album! Come listen and look:

~kim

(p.s. the first spread of the album is actually a “book jacket,” hence the writing on spine, etc.)