Diaz I Do!

During the covid shut down, we all had A LOT of family togetherness. Despite the overshadowing fear of the unknown, those were very sweet times having all my kids together, really for the last time in that way.  Days consisted of schoolwork, pool time and beach trips (until they closed the beach which was bizarre). My favorite part was our nightly conversations that were always a riot. 

Maggie spent her life at NancyDance studio and never had a chance to date.  She was complaining to me that she really wanted to have a date for homecoming and prom for her senior year.  I told her that just maybe she would meet a nice golfer when she worked summer camp at the country club. Low and behold, after her first week, she came home dreamy telling me about the cutest golfer!!  That set off daily family strategy sessions on next moves!!  Jayden was not getting the hint that Maggie was interested in him, so Mags finally asked him if he wanted to get lunch. I am thankful Jayden had no clue about the hysteria that was going on in preparation.  When Jayden came over to our house for the first time, I was in our kitchen, and he came walking in with two big, beautiful bouquets of flowers, one for me and one for Maggie. From that day, I knew he was a keeper!  

I am so grateful to God for Jayden who has loved Maggie so well and truly brings the best out of her. We have had the privilege of watching Jayden grow from a teenager into the most amazing young man.  He has exceeded every dream that we would have for a husband for our daughter. I am not sure I have ever seen a young man be so industrious and work so hard. I have seen him work at a job, house sit while dog sitting and pressure washing on top of that. Maggie and Jayden both set goals and crushed them.  I couldn’t be prouder! They both started their careers and love what they do!  That is such a blessing that not everyone achieves.  I always told my kids to figure out what you love and spend your life doing it.  So many people are stuck in jobs they hate.

Jayden called and asked Dan to play golf and we assumed it was so he could ask Dan’s permission to marry Maggie.  Dan said he felt so sorry for Jayden because he was a nervous wreck.  Of course, Dan’s answer was YES!!  Jayden really wanted to surprise Maggie which we knew was going to be difficult. Jayden knew Mags would want to be dressed nice for the engagement. We agreed that she would never suspect getting engaged on the same day as her college graduation, so the plan was set. Maggie and Jayden got engaged in our backyard where we all met Jayden for the first time.  Thank God for the sisters who hid in the bushes at our house and captured the surprise!  It was such a sweet time of celebration for all the things!

It really comes in handy when your firstborn was an event planner and planned Maggie’s wedding like a boss!  I must admit, I was bracing myself for Maggie to become a Bridezilla Diva, but she never did!  She wanted a small intimate wedding.  Bonnie handled all the preparations, and it turned out so perfect.  I did freak out the week before the wedding, but Bonnie assured me she had everything under control! Thank God for firstborns!!  

We went wedding dress shopping and that was a shock.  I always envisioned my Mags in a blinged out, glittery, sparkly, wedding dress.  I couldn’t believe the direction she was going. I have vowed with all of my kids to just show support and have as few opinions as possible.  Although I said little, my face said a lot. Thank you, Lord for Donna! She found Maggie the perfect dress that we all loved with the most gorgeous veil ever! So Stunning! 

The biggest surprise was that both Maggie and Jayden wanted me to officiate the wedding.  Some people thought it was weird, but I considered it the highest honor. To stand next to Jayden and see his reaction when the chapel doors swung open was so precious.

Not to add anything else to 2025 besides, graduating from college, getting married…Maggie and Jayden also bought a house!  I am so grateful for my nephew and niece who own Fluid Realty and took such good care of Maggie and Jayden guiding them through the complicated process.  They found the kids the perfect house that even had a nice putting green in the backyard!

There is nothing better than having your adult kids happy and on a good path.  It’s what every parent hopes and prays for.  I would love to say it’s because Dan and I are the best parents ever, but I know the truth.  As I review my Facebook memories of my parenting, I am just thankful they survived some of the crazy things we did.  I will always give all the glory to God who showed us such mercy.  If I had any advice for parents, it would be, raise your kids in church.  Yes, Christians can be the worst and we are all hypocrites but God is good all the time and is faithful to his promises.  The Bible says in Deuteronomy 7:9, “He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”  I believe that my family walks in God’s blessings and provision because my parents chose to put God first in their life.  One of my favorite scriptures that has helped me parent is "Love covers a multitude of sin."  I believe God has covered our parenting mistakes with His love and fills in all our gaps.  God is the only perfect parent and I am so grateful we have built our life grounded in our faith. Congrats to the Diaz’s!  Can’t wait to see what God has in store!