Celebrating with Peach

Peach and Allen

In just two weeks, my sister Peach will get married.  Family and friends will gather to celebrate with her and Allen in a simple but elegant, music-filled ceremony.  Then it's a two-week honeymoon, before settling in to a whole new life for my lovely sister.

Peach is a pastor.  She served for many years as children's pastor and played a huge part in the lives of the church family.  The women of the church love her, and demonstrated it by hosting a wonderful shower for her on Saturday.  One of the women in attendance shared that Peach's sermons altered the way she has lived her life.  Three young adult sisters had chosen one to be the spokesperson for them.  She shared that they grew up under Peach's ministry, and that she loved everything in her childhood because Pastor Peach was part of it.  By the time she was finished speaking, all three sisters were in tears.

"I find it amazing," said another friend, "that a woman could get so many children before she's even married!"

Now Peach will be the mother of four young adult children of her own -- two daughters, a son, and a daughter-in-law!

She shared her love story with the group on Saturday, as well as with her childhood friends who gathered for a shower on Sunday.   Allen is a funeral director, and they had known each other for several years, as she is occasionally involved in funerals in the area.  But it wasn't until just a few months ago that God, in unmistakable ways, brought them together.  It is a powerful testimony to God's grace and Peach and Allen's trust in Him.

When Allen asked Dad if he would be open to him marrying Peach, Dad paused, then said, "Yes.  You've been a long time coming!"

Mom, Peach, Dad and Samuel

On the day Mom and I accompanied her to shop for a wedding dress, Mom handed Peach an envelope containing $200.  "What's this?" Peach asked.  "It's your first paycheck.  You asked me to cash it for you, and you never asked for it back.  So I saved it for your wedding dress!"  That was 35 years ago!  Peach found some wonderful sales, and for $200 she bought her wedding dress and her going away dress, and still had ten cents left over!

The first time Allen's daughters called her "Mom," she choked back tears.  The girls felt terrible.  We've made her cry!  "Don't be upset," she told them, "I just didn't think I'd ever have anyone call me that."

Peach with her two new daughters, Melody and Melissa

Oh, did I mention Allen's last name?  It's Ice; she'll be Peach Ice!  It's a perfect name for my sister -- to be with her is like enjoying a refreshing drink on a hot summer's day.