The children we work with, who come from squalor and abusive situations, would see a “Cinderella” wedding as unattainable but we looked at it differently. When Miriam and Guilfer told us of their plans to marry, we wanted to bless them with a memorable wedding. We excitedly prepared for our first wedding of Shadow of His Wings Orphanage. Miriam and Guilfer represented the ideal couple by following the ethics we outlined for the children. They met, dated with the appropriate chaperones, and asked permission for the marriage. This couple became a model for the other girls, giving them hope for a future of love and respect, if they waited patiently for its unfolding. In my mind, Miriam and Guilfer deserved the best.

A legal marriage in Guatemala is obtained in a civil ceremony, when a couple is married by the local mayor. A church wedding is optional and takes place after the legal wedding, but it does not replace it as a legal ceremony. At the civil ceremony, Miriam, hair combed to perfection and dressed in a cute black and white suit, spoke her vows to Guilfer, while we “parents” stood as witnesses. The procedure felt more like a wedding rehearsal, except it didn’t follow our program. Even after the “I dos” it seemed surreal. Ten minutes later they were legally married, but we had plans for a real wedding. We whisked Miriam away to prepare her for the church wedding. Her chariot, my Toyota Corolla, took her to the grand entrance of the church, which was decorated and ready for “Cinderella.”

In the church, Miriam’s biological mother waited, having been given permission to come to the wedding. We prayed that her attendance would not reopen pain from past abuses. Instead, we watched Miriam’s mother hold her daughter in her arms and speak words of endearment. The wedding began when we three “mothers” (Miriam’s biological mother, Joanne, and I) sat down together in the front seats. Gib prepared to walk Miriam down the aisle when the music began to play. What poured out of the speakers turned out to be the wedding exit song instead of “Here Comes the Bride.” Too late to change anything, we sat chuckling to ourselves. Most of the guests didn’t know the difference, and the wedding march went smoothly.

The couple said their vows to the sound of our sniffles, while we mothers used a ton of tissues. After the vows, the pastor sat down but startled us as he jumped back up. “I am so sorry. I forgot to complete my part.” With a tight smile and after clearing his throat, he said, “I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Guilfer Guzman. Guilfer, you may kiss the bride.” A roar of applause echoed off the concrete blocks of the church.

Now it’s complete, Lord. They are good and married. Bubbles floated everywhere as the couple left the church and climbed into the Toyota chariot. They drove around the town to the honking of horns announcing the great event. And finally, they headed to the salon for the reception. My emotions continued to overtake me as I watched one of my first girls send adoring signals to her new husband. I tucked another treasured memory into that special room of my heart.