Monica and Inshal texted this picture and called about a month after arriving home from their honeymoon! We are grandparents!
She had the usual morning sickness, and was absurdly tired, falling asleep everywhere. But nothing made us suspect twins. At her initial OB visit, there were clearly two active babies, both measuring appropriately in size.
TWINS!!
Kevin offers his welcome as the host/father of the bride
Best man, Joe, gives a toast filled with fun and references to he and Inshal's WCC escapades
maid of honor, Elizabeth, gives her toast, remembering the many years of friendship between herself and Monica
I did not cry
Inshal's brother, Rinju, gives the other best man toast. As a child, Inshal, apparently declared that he would have a pig roast at his wedding, and marry a woman who lets him go barefoot. He did.
Fr. Tom lead grace
Later in the evening Monica changed into the traditional red wedding sari, gifted by Inshal's Indian grandparents
Yes, that is a sword, and yes, he did try to cut straight down the middle.
Kevin was in training at Fort Huachuca in AZ and could not be home for the wedding. At the end of the evening, we were able to get him on the phone. This was a very special moment.
Saying our goodbyes to our baby girl
Blessing his bride with holy water as they left the church
These two people raised a wonderful man for our daughter to marry. We are truly blessed by the union of our families!
It was an impressive wedding party! :)
We missed our soldier terribly.
the 'merger'
Clan Galbraith
the Wilcox side
It is difficult to describe the beauty and richness of Monica and Inshal's Nuptial Mass. Her childhood parish was filled with family and friends so happy on this day. The wedding party was the most wonderful, fun, devout, beautiful group of young people and the combined forces of the St. Augustine's and WCC communities resulted in a spectacular choir.
Lydia was a bit overwhelmed with emotion during the ceremony
the Syro-Malabar Catholic Rite
Monica's Godparents and Inshal's Godson brought up the gifts
Once upon a time, in a little country church, after Mass, a young lady invited her friend to accompany her on a road trip. It was determined that there were too many people going for the small vehicle so the friend went on home. By the time she was home, the young lady's father had suggested the use of his larger vehicle, so the friend and her mother packed her up in record time, and she spent that Thanksgiving visiting Wyoming Catholic College with the young lady and her brother and his wife. The friend, who had been unable to decide on a college, found herself delighted with campus life at WCC. She happened to cross paths with a young man there ( a comrade of the young lady's brother); tall, dark, and handsome, full of life and charisma. She did not make her decision based on her interest in him, but she hoped they might be friends when she arrived on campus as a freshmen in the fall.
Monica was not far into her freshmen year at WCC when Inshal called Kevin to ask for his permission to date her. The couple approached dating as a means to discern whether they were suited for marriage. They did not begin to date casually, but with much prayer and guidance from mentors. Our family and friends met him when he came to visit for a New Year's Eve celebration. Kevin and I met Inshal's family, and they met Monica, when we traveled to WCC for his graduation. That summer Inshal called Kevin again to ask permission to marry Monica. Then he proposed in the little campus chapel, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
One year later, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, in that little country church, they were married.
The young lady who had begun the whole thing, along with her brother and his wife, also played important parts in this wedding. In fact every part of this wedding involved people with whom we were already connected, and every decision had meaning behind it. The weather was gorgeous. God cleared many paths and blessed the day beyond imagining. The wedding day was abundant with love and joy, truly befitting the Feast of His Sacred Heart.
the men praying a rosary before the ceremony
Practicing their first dance
At the wedding rehearsal, walking up the aisle with Dad
Forty days before the wedding, on the Feast of St. Louis de Montfort, we hosted a bridal shower for Monica. The feast day was especially appropriate. When Monica and Inshal began dating and discerning that their relationship might lead to marriage, they made the Marion consecration together.
Our friend, Jenny, offered her lovely home and her talented cooking. The weather cooperated to give us a perfect spring afternoon for family and friends to shower Monica with love and gifts for her newlywed home.
We made up the name 'Inshonica' to use for them as a couple. :)
Monica's future mother and sister-in-law meet Grandma while Aunt Shelagh greets Monica
Galbraith Girls
an over zealous chaperone
the baby cut the tree down :)
Victory!!
Miriya and Shelagh
... at the END of October? ...in freezing northern Michigan? St. A's kids.
St. Augustine's first ever outdoor trip. Led by Monica and Inshal and company. Dominic couldn't go as he had other commitments than weekend, but Regina and Maria went with the girls group. It was a resounding success, with the participants asking when the next outdoor trip will be!
Joe (aka Mr. F.)
Celestine (aka Miss K.)
I just would not be able to pick a favorite, they are all so beautiful and fun and them!
