When someone you love marries someone you love, your heart overflows and the happiness of the moment and the joy of a lifetime settle in your soul.

There is a German tradition called the Bride’s Tree. As someone in our family was a bride this year, I decided to rummage through the ornaments I have collected since I was a bride to give to this very special woman. May she know the steadfast love and devotion to her and their family that I have experienced in my marriage.

Angel – God’s guidance (My extraordinary mother-in-law gave this to me when I was first married.)

Fish – Christ’s blessing and fertility (My daughter and husband gave this to me in 2000.)

Teapot  – Hospitality (I gave her a coffee cup because, well, this is Louisiana, where coffee with chicory is a staple. My daughter gave this to me when she was in high school working at Starbucks. ) 

Bird – Joy, happiness, and the Holy Spirit (I bought this one in 2013 because it’s a FRENCH hen!)

Rabbit – Hope and peace with nature (I haven’t found a rabbit yet, but Granddaughter said we can use the Yeti as a placeholder until she makes a rabbit. )

Fruit – Generosity and plenty (Granddaughter chose a lemon because I had no fruit ornaments. )

Heart – Love in the home (Granddaughter chose this because it has a castle AND a heart!)

Pine cone – Fruitfulness, motherhood (I bought this in 2007. I pray for her and her children every day.)

Bouquet – Good wishes in the home (Granddaughter chose this one because what could be better than a unicorn with a bouquet on its head?)

Rose – Affection  and the Virgin Mary (I gave her a camellia because, well, this is Louisiana and they blossom all winter. Not only that, she gave me two  glass camellias for Christmas one year knowing that they are my favorite flower. Now I give one back to her with the prayer for her to receive all the love she deserves and the protectionof the Blessed Mother.)

House – Protection (I gave her a gingerbread house that I bought in 2012 because one of our holiday traditions is to bake and decorate a gingerbread house. May she know that joy with her husband and children.)

Papa Noël – Goodwill, giving,  and sharing (She gave this to my husband way back in 1996.)

A glass pickle can be put on the tree on Christmas Eve in a home with children. The lucky child who finds the pickle receives a special gift from St. Nicholas. (My friend Heidi gave this to me in 2011.)

I love her so much that sometimes I think my heart might burst. She is beautiful, smart, strong, and one of my heroes. God bless her, her marriage, her husband, her family.