The Wedding Party: Kayla Wade

It is finally time for me to tell y'all about my perfect maid of honor, my sister Kayla. Kayla and I are 16 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days apart. We are as close to twins as any sisters who aren't twins can get. As small children, I was her real-life baby doll. I would follow her anywhere, say anything she told me to, and do anything she instructed (I still do...). We have home videos of someone asking me what I got for Christmas, and I started to tell them and Kayla put her hand up and said, "Hush Morgan, let me tell it." That is an accurate depiction of my life with Kayla Wade as my sister. We shared a room until our oldest sister went to college when Kayla was 10 and I was 9, so we have spent a good deal of our lives being attached at the hip. Growing up, we fought like cats and dogs. I have a vivid memory of Kayla and me rolling around on the floor fighting, and she stuck her big toe in my eye and almost blinded me. I'm sure she has equally embarrassing fight stories she could tell you about me. There is no one on the planet who can get on my nerves like Kayla can. However, as we've gotten older, we have become best friends, and I can say wholeheartedly that there is nothing more special than having a sister who is your best friend. She thinks she loves me more because she has loved me as long as I've lived, but really I love her more because I've loved her my whole life. There is no one in the world like Kayla to me, and I can't even begin to explain what it means to me to have her as my maid of honor.

There are two stories that I knew I wanted to share in Kayla's post because they are both so dear to my heart. Some background for the first story: One of the only things I had ever really done without Kayla was join a youth group. It was so different for me to be somewhere she wasn't, but I desperately wanted her to be. For almost two years straight, any time any of the youth leaders would ask for prayer requests, I asked if we could pray that my sister would come to know Jesus. I consistently prayed that prayer until one day Kayla came to an event a local ministry was having in Ocean Isle Beach. She was waiting for some of her friends to get to the beach, but she didn't know how long it would be before they got there. Looking back now, it was definitely God's hand at work. Kayla and I sat and listened to the speaker talk and at the end of his message, he asked if there was anyone who hadn't accepted Christ as their Savior that felt the pull on their heart to do so. I look over, and Kayla was raising her hand. There are few words that could describe that moment for me and I know even more so for her. Kayla accepted Christ that day, and to this day, it is one of the biggest milestones in my walk with Jesus because He showed how faithful He is to answer prayers in His perfect time. So not only is Kayla my sister by blood, she is also my sister in Christ, and I am overjoyed to know that even when our time on Earth is done, we get to spend an eternity walking the streets of gold and sitting at the feet of Jesus together. Her faith is a blessing to me, and I am so proud of the Godly woman that she has become.

This second story is a testament to my statement in the first story about us never really doing things separately growing up. That was still the case when it came time for college. Kayla is a grade ahead of me, so she moved to Wilmington to attend UNCW when I was a senior in high school. My first choice school was Campbell University, and I just knew I was definitely going to end up there. Through God's providence once again, I ended up having to go to my second choice school... none other than UNCW. Kayla and I decided it would be nice to save some money and move into an apartment together when I came to Wilmington, and that is exactly what we did. It was almost like we were little girls again because we had to share a room that first year. For the remainder of Kayla's time in college we lived together (but not in the same room because we almost killed each other... lesson learned). I do not regret a second of the time Kayla and I got to spend living together outside of our parents' home. College has been a life-changing experience for me, and it makes it even more worthwhile that I got to share that experience with my sister across the "hall." This is the second year in my whole life that I've ever lived without her, and I miss her OCD, sassy behind every day. Of all the things I am most thankful for, the thing that tops the list is that Kayla has lead the way for me most of my life but always knows the perfect time to step aside and let me soar on my own.

Kayla has a true servant's heart. If you couldn't tell from some of my descriptions of her already, she has a few OCD tendencies. Things have to be perfectly clean and straight and organized all the time. It's really an endearing quality 😉. It's through these habits that I see her service the most. She is always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Kayla is a kindergarten teacher, and she is a beloved part of her school family. I have met several of her co-workers who all just sing her praises when they find out I'm her sister. She displays the truest form of love and passion in her classroom, and I am so proud of the hard work and dedication she has put in this first year. It takes a person with a servant's heart to work in the teaching field, and Kayla genuinely excels at it. She is outspoken and fiercely protective of the people she loves (especially me). She has a kind heart and is always forgiving of others. She is the person I look up to the most in my life, and she has always been a good role model for me. I admire her goodness, her strength, and her goofiness, and I will always want to be just like her.

As my sister, Kayla has known all of my crushes, my "puppy loves," and my two boyfriends. She has heard all the late-night phone calls that Al and I have shared and has really had a front-row seat to our relationship all these years. She and Al love each other just like brothers and sisters do, and it makes me so happy to see their relationship. Kayla is always brutally honest with Al, which we both expect nothing less from her. She wants the very best for both of us and is always the first to say how much she believes in us. I know she and Al talked a lot while he was planning the proposal, and she played a huge role in making the surprise a success. She is always willing to listen to any ideas I have and wants me to have anything I want for our big day. She is the best maid of honor there is, and I am so lucky to have her as one of my right-hand girls during this time. This will be the first thing in our lives that I'll get to lead the way for her instead of the other way around, and I cannot wait for that time to come one day. I couldn't ask for a better maid of honor, friend, or sister than her.

Kayla, you are the biggest piece of my soul. I owe so much of what I know to you - my talking skills, my social skills, my life skills - it's all because of you. You impact my life in ways you don't even know. It is the greatest honor of my life to have you stand by my side as my maid of honor. You and Courtney are two of the best parts of my life, and I wouldn't trade either of you for anything in the world. I hope you always have the courage to go where life leads you, as long as it isn't too far from me. My favorite compliment is when people tell me I look, act, or sound like you... I don't think there's a better compliment in the world. Thank you for always being my eyes and holding my hand when I am too scared to walk alone. Because of you, I will always have a friend and for that I am eternally grateful. I love you to the ends of the earth, my sweet sissy!

The Wedding Party: Lauren Rising

I am so excited to begin telling y'all about my sisters, starting with the sister I am gaining through this life-changing time. Lauren Rising is Al's younger (and only) sister. They are almost four years apart, and their relationship is truly special. I have seen first-hand how much they love and protect each other, and it makes me so happy to know Al has that relationship in his life. But enough about them for now... let me tell you about MY relationship with Lauren. Lauren and I both have this vague memory of each other at a swimming pool in a neighborhood when I was about to start high school. Lauren swears I made an awful face at her... I think by now she knows that's just my face 😂. We then officially met when I joined the youth group at Jennies Branch the summer after my freshman year. Lauren and I were good friends before Al and I ever started dating. She and her mom used to take me home after church on Wednesday nights, and we really got to know each other well during that time. Lauren knew my feelings for Al long before anyone else did. To this day I still feel bad because when I would go over to their house to hang out with Lauren, I would end up hanging out with Al more than I did her because I just had to be around him. Hopefully she forgives me for that now 😘. Lauren has been my little sister for almost seven years now, but I am overjoyed that in a year and one week we will be making it official!

One of my favorite memories with Lauren is when she performed a solo in one of her dance competitions. I helped Lauren pick out the song she danced to, and one night before the first time she performed the solo, she and I went to the fellowship hall at church and she rehearsed for hours trying to perfect it. That night, it was just me and her, and I was so proud watching her do what she loved. The next day, I was with her the whole day as she got ready for competition. I drove her to the auditorium and on the way there, she told me she could feel herself getting anxious. Right there in the car, I grabbed her hand and we prayed about her nerves and her performance. When we got to Odell, she asked me if I would sit backstage as she performed. I think I was more nervous than she was watching that dance because I had seen it 4,862 times, but she nailed every step. For the first time in my life, I got to be the proud big sister instead of the proud little sister, and it was such a special moment for me. Every time I think about Lauren dancing, I get teary-eyed because she was so passionate about it and was such a beautiful dancer. She has tried for years to teach me some of her moves, but again... ya girl can't dance. Lauren has given me so many proud big sister moments, and for that I am so grateful.

As all sisters do, Lauren and I have had our fair share of disagreements. I take my role of big sister very seriously, so sometimes I'm a little overprotective of her. It has been such a joy watching her grow from an awkward middle school girl to the beautiful young woman she is today. I love that Lauren calls me to ask me questions about school because I can relate or when she texts me to see if I can come over because she hasn't seen me in a few weeks. Our relationship is not dependent on mine and Al's relationship. Frankly, before Al and I were a couple, Lauren was the one I would cry and talk bad about Al to because I secretly hoped she would go home and tell him to choose me (lol). Lauren would still be a part of my life even if Al was not. Luckily, we don't have to worry about that anymore because we're sealing the deal! Lauren has given me the opportunity to influence her life, and my prayer is that I am always a positive influence for her. No matter how many times we disagree, Lauren is the only little sister I'll ever get, and I will always cherish that. Our relationship is so special to me, and I am excited to continue to watch it develop throughout our lifetime together.

Lauren is a creative and feisty spirit. She sees the world through artistic eyes and is so good at turning something ugly into something beautiful. When I say she is a feisty spirit, I literally mean she is a firecracker. She does not put up with anyone's mess and will be the first to tell you when you've done something to offend her. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and the people she loves, and that is something I admire about her. She has a boldness in her convictions and is not easily swayed. Although she could probably take on even the strongest of people, she has a very sensitive and loving heart. She genuinely loves people and wants everyone to be happy. She is a loyal friend even to those who are not loyal to her, and I am so proud of her for always being the bigger person. Lauren is so special and is going to do amazing things with her life. It makes me so happy to know I will be here to see her become the person God made her to be. 

As I said before, Al and Lauren have such a sweet brother-sister relationship. I know Lauren adores Al, and whether she knows it or not, Al adores her just as much. Lauren, Al, and I have spent a lot of time together over the last six years, especially when Al lived at home. The one thing that made Al the most sad about leaving home was leaving Lauren. He has been able to watch over her for her whole life, and once he moved out, he wasn't able to do that anymore. I know they both wish they were able to spend more time together, but their relationship is still just as strong today as when they were little. Lauren has been such a big part of our relationship. She is always encouraging us, taking pictures of us, and loving us even when we're being ridiculous. She was there the day Al and I got engaged, and she has been such a big help in the planning process. She is always willing to do anything I need her to, and that means so much to me. I know Lauren is Al's sister, but I am so glad she will be standing by my side as I become a member of her family.

Lauren Taylor, you are an irreplaceable part of my life. You are one of my favorite people to spend time with, and I'm so thankful you are never too busy for me. You are a great friend to me and a wonderful sister to both of us. You are going to be a beautiful bridesmaid, and I am honored to have you stand by me as I promise your brother forever. I am looking forward to all this life will bring us as a family. I can't wait for this season of life as we become sisters, and I can't wait to one day make you an auntie. Life is so much better with you in it, and I am so grateful for you. I love you more than you know and will always be here overprotecting you.