Joseph & Hannah's Wedding
An ornery little guy who ran his way into mischief at every turn and a sweet, peace-loving, curly-headed little girl…
Their families ended up at the same church. Their daddies worked at the same business. Their houses were 
on the same street. It didn’t take long for the ornery boy to decide that the curly-headed girl was the girl he wanted to marry.
While the two families shared a beach vacation, Hannah’s alert father took 13-year-old Joseph aside and let him know it wasn’t the time for romance. He would be keeping his eye on him. So Joseph focused on the business of growing up and becoming the godly man that would be ready to love and lead such a lady.
He practiced the piano. Up the street, Hannah also practiced the piano. He grew and sold flowers. Up the street a bouquet -- for Hannah’s mother -- often sat on the dining room table. He worked for the family business. Hannah’s daddy watched him in action.
Our families spent a lot of time together. We picked berries together, weeded gardens together, made music, shared vacations at the beach, played games, attended Civil War reenactments, played in piano recitals, ate ice cream cones and hot dogs and smores and spaghetti, picked flowers for farmers’ markets, made and delivered bouquets, packed Doorposts orders, made the same one-hour trek to church every week, and even had “fun” butchering chickens together!
But Joseph waited -- not exactly patiently, but he di
d wait. He matured in his walk with the Lord. He read books, listened to counselors, worked hard, saved money, and prepared for his vocation, all while honoring our wishes and those of Hannah’s parents. He chose to protect Hannah’s heart and his own by not initiating a relationship before he was prepared to lead a family.
One Thanksgiving holiday, Joseph did get Hannah’s daddy off by himself and let him know that he was very interested in Hannah. He knew he was not prepared to court her yet, but should another suitor come along before he finished his preparations, he would like Hannah to know of his 
interest in her.
In the context of family and church gatherings, Joseph and Hannah learned more about each other. Hannah recognized Joseph’s tender heart, and Joseph admired Hannah’s sweet servant’s spirit. Joseph benefited from Hannah’s discipline, and Hannah delighted in Joseph’s spontaneity.
At last the day came when Joseph was set free to win Hannah’s heart. Before he left for a trip to Virginia, he wrote a letter for Hannah and left it with her parents. While he waited to board the airplane back home, Hannah’s parents were sitting in a restaurant watching her read his letter, and rejoicing that the “time for love” had finally arrived. The months that followed were full of flowers and music and letters, and a ring that sealed the engagement at Grandpa’s property where Joseph and Hannah have shared so many other good memories.
The pastor that officiated at the wedding teased that Joseph bought the engagement ring for Hannah when he was six years old. It wasn’t quite that early, but Joseph did wait a long time for his bride. The wedding was pure joy – one of the happiest weddings I can remember attending. What a sweet moment to watch two dear souls, so patient and so loving, so committed to serving the Lord, take hands and pledge themselves to each other. Every time I looked at little Hannah gazing up so happily into my son’s eyes, I started to cry, thanking God for His love and mercy, and for blessing Joseph with such a dear lady. Their first kiss was followed by a precious hug, a hug that spoke so clearly of the purity of their courtship and the tenderness of their love.
It’s a love story that both families have loved being a part of. We know that Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Forster will be an even greater force in Christ’s kingdom, and an even greater blessing to all the lives they touch.
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!”
Hannah gave her bridal bouquet to Grandy, our grandma who passed into
Jesus' presence only a month after the wedding. She has been a great
blessing to our family, and you can read our tribute to Grandy here.
Together at last!