The last wedding our family attended was the wedding of my only daughter, Joanna, and her husband, Nick. The wedding took place in a big barn-like venue, and they opted to have the ceremony and party afterwards in the same place. It was a beautiful venue, with strings of golden lights everywhere, long wooden tables and chairs, a full kitchen, bride and groom rooms and everything we needed. The caterer they chose served barbeque and corn muffins, along with sides, and there was a fully stocked open bar. Music would be provided by a live musician playing piano, and then by a stereo system.
My husband got his cancer diagnosis in May of 2019, and he was told he had 6 months to 3 years to live depending on what treatments he could have and how well he responded. So Joanna and Nick decided to move their wedding up by almost a year, and in a few hectic months, everything was reserved, booked, planned and ready. They married in November of 2019, on the day before I had married my husband. Our anniversaries would always be side by side, and at Thanksgiving.
There were many tears shed when my husband walked Joanna down the aisle, and my husband and I sat together and had a front row seat to witness their union. It was such a happy day, a day I will always remember.
a windy cold day
autumn leaves flew with our joy
surrounded by love

Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved.
For this week’s haibun challenge, I’d like you to reflect on a wedding. It could be yours, the wedding of friends, family or even a wedding you observed from a distance.
New to the haibun? Your haibun should include a concise piece of prose, no more than three paragraphs, preceded or followed by a nature based, seasonal haiku. The prose is usually non-fiction/autobiographical and written in present tense. The haiku is a whisper, perhaps another layer deepening the meaning of the prose.
My heart broke reading this.
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Joanna is an amazing woman. She adored her father. Thank you, Nigel.
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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What a wonderful and bittersweet celebration… it looks so lovely in the pictures.
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My daughter worked so quickly and beautifully to bring it all together. We decorated the tables with fresh eucalyptus and roses running down the center. It really was lovely 🌹😍
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Oh my, I had to wipe some tears away, absolutely stunning…beautiful Lisa, and glad your husband was able to be there 🫶
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Thank you so much for your kind words ❤️
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Lovely post, beautiful couple and awesome venue. When my first daughter married, it was of the happiest days of my life. We have so many wonderful memories.
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We do, don’t we? I’m so grateful for them ❤️
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This is so beautiful and touching. Your daughter looked gorgeous in her beautiful gown. I love the venue. So glad your husband was able to walk her down the aisle.
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Beautiful. Your story was especially moving to me as my dad passed when I was 22. I am sorry for your loss and also happy you have this precious memory to hold onto forever. A bittersweet story. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so very much. I am so sorry you lost your father ❤️💔❤️
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“Autumn leaves flew with our joy” — I know they did! A lovely memory, one that will survive every grief, Lisa.
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So true! Thank you, Dora 🧡
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