Note From Team LO: In honor of Sadie and Christian’s wedding day quickly approaching, we have invited some very special people to share letters of love, encouragement, and wisdom. Today we have Sadie’s grandmother, 2 mama!

Sadie,

Oh my! This is so crazy! I’ve been there for almost everything—from holding the camera while you sang as a toddler to holding your javelin while you tied your shoes before a track meet to braiding your hair for the next basketball game to straightening your costume at Dancing with the Stars to decorating your house as you moved away from us to proudly smiling on the sidelines as you rocked the stage, proclaiming the name of Jesus to thousands, and now, you’re about to get married to the love of your life. I am so happy for you and Christian as you take on the world, no longer relying for your parents or grandparents, but on each other for all of life’s minor and major decision.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not going anywhere. I will stand solidly in your corner, ready to hold your hand (or braid your hair) when called upon, but you’ve chosen a good man to share your life with and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I know that Christian loves God first, and you second, and that’s perfect because loving God first will always mean Christian will put your needs over anything else in our earthly realm. And, you will do the same for him.

The future is always uncertain, for who can know all the plans of God, but we can often expect a future based on the past. Your past makes me so excited to be a witness to the future. This is not meant to put any pressure on you to top anything you have ever done. Nope, if there is any pressure given it is on God who has set the bar high and exceeded our expectations with His clear direction for your life. He has already taken you places you never dreamed were possible.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

I love you to the moon and back. I will always be in your corner, cheering you on. I will always pray for your safety and well-being. I will always miss you when you’re gone and be overjoyed when you return. I will always be grateful God chose me to be your grandmother. What an honor!

You will always be my first-born granddaughter, the leader of our pack of little girls and now young women. You’ve done it well and, I have no doubt, will continue to do it well.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He always turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Love, 2-mama