Beautiful Moments - We should live in them daily!

Hey Everyone,

I was recently a bridesmaid for the first time ever - Always the photog...never the bridesmaid! But that no longer applies! Two good friends of mine finally tied the knot and what an amazing experience I had being on the other end of the lens. Amber and Helder's wedding was filled with so much joy and love that I was so proud to be present during their union. During the last song of the evening (DJ services provided by http://www.amvpros.com/ ) which was Dig - by Incubus, as chosen by the bride and groom as one of their songs to dance to, they had the entire dance floor to themselves. Finally a moment to themselves as they had been spending time with guests. As they wrapped their arms around each other and started to sway, the brides family stood up and walked over to the edge of the dance floor and held hands in a semi circle around the couple. And then the grooms family got up to join hands and continue the circle. K...at this point I'm just holding my point & shoot camera trying to capture the last dance. Just then, the Maid of Honor - Jenn, grabs me and says "C'mon..let's go!" Motioning to the dance floor. I instinctively start composing the shot in my head of how I was going to capture this being within the circle....how could I record this beautiful moment? How could I not??? And yet I found myself wanting to experience every moment of it with all my senses....so I put down my camera and went to join the circle - hand in hand with the other guests. And as the music played, I could feel this rush of love and joy that surrounded this couple. (Imagine the last scene in How the Grinch Stole Christmas when all of Whoville held hands and celebrated the spirit of Christmas.) Their love supported by friends and family in the biggest visual way I could ever imagine. And yes...I was a big mess of tears at this point.
I was holding hands with Jenn and to my right was a little girl of about 9 who I think was one of the nieces of the groom (imagine Cindy Loo) ...I remember looking down at her and apologizing for having such a sweaty grip as the AC had broken down that evening due to the lightening storms blowing out the fuses. And she just looked up at me and smiled and said" It's okay...we all do!". Even a 9 year old girl was living in the moment...and here I was...a 31 year old mush ball! lol At the end of the song - we all came in for one big group hug! Since then I was told that this is traditional in European weddings - this circle the family and friends make...but in all my weddings I have experienced, I've never seen it. However, this was one of those moments that I'll never regret not getting "The Shot" or ever forget.
Congratulations Amber and Helder! Thank-you for sharing your beautiful day!