My Friend Married Two People at Once

The only friend I've had since birth got married this past weekend. It was beautiful. From what I can tell, Justin and Caroline have a lot of happy days ahead of them. Some may find it odd, though, that the wedding wasn’t just about the two of them. In fact, Caroline didn’t just commit her life to one person at the altar on Saturday. She committed herself to two. 

Her name is Payton and she is six years old.

Payton is Justin’s little girl. And now she is Caroline’s, too.

I couldn’t hold it together watching how happy Payton was to have “a new mommy”.


Maybe it was watching that precious little girl’s eyes as she watched her dad and Caroline kiss for the first time as a married couple. Or maybe it was watching her jump up and down at the close of the ceremony screaming, “They are husband and wife!” over and over again. Or maybe it was when Caroline, and Justin danced their first dance to I Won’t Give Up and she decided to join them on the floor.

Or maybe it was because I know exactly how that little girl feels.

I’m so happy for Caroline - as happy as I can be. But I’ve never been married, so I don’t really know how she feels.

But I have been right where Payton is, and I know exactly how she feels. I was nine years old when I watched my mommy marry the man I had grown to love so much. He committed himself to my mom forever and he did the same to me. I wasn’t tainted by the world enough to have “trust issues” at nine. I just believed him. I knew he would be there.

 And he is still here.

Last night I went on a walk with my daddy. We talked about God, boys, work, skydiving, and coffee.

Fourteen years ago my dad decided to marry two people. And I’m so incredibly proud to have a friend who has chosen to do the same. It was pretty awesome to see that same trust in Payton’s eyes as she looked at my beautiful friend, Caroline. She just knows she will be there.

And I know Caroline, so I know she will be.

Here’s to the Lee Family!