The day was filled with electricity as we ascended the steps and entered the sanctuary of the beautiful, old stone church. Our lives were about to embark on an adventure that would change each of us forever. We entered those walls as individual lives and emerged, a family held in God's hands.

This man had been my friend for half my life but I knew, as his wife, our relationship would begin anew. We were taking a tremendous chance on our faith in God, in one another, and our faith in the ability of our four children to cope with, and grow within, our mutual decision.

The six of us vowed that day to work and plan for the future together. Each child, all four having spoken vows within the wedding ceremony, took their part in the decision to become a family very seriously.