That moment when you try on the chasuble for the first time and think “This is going to take heels!”

That moment when you see your daughters and the other half of your seminary graduating class giggling in the front row.

That moment when the preacher brings tears to your eyes.

That moment when you drop off a dozen bags of chocolate, a bottle of oil, and a chocolate fountain in the kitchen and hope for the best,

That moment spent wondering just when the first reader will arrive …

That moment with your son’s first suit.

That moment when your friends and colleagues start filing past to process in – and just keep coming!

That moment when their hands fall on your shoulders and lift your feet off the step behind as you kneel before the bishop.

That moment when the first hymn strikes up and your husband shoots you a quick look and a nod.

That moment when you realize you didn’t save yourself a seat to listen to the readings.

That moment when your friends come up together for a blessing, little knowing how they’ve blessed you.

That moment of quiet, dark, stillness as you wait upon the Holy Spirit.

That moment when your goddaughter says, “I’m proud of you.”

That moment when the bishop asks, “Will you respect and be guided by the pastoral
direction and leadership of your bishop?”, and he’s asking you to trust him.

That moment the following Sunday when you finish the Eucharistic prayer, and break the bread, and hand it to your rector with the words, “the Body of Christ,” and think, “yes, it is – God works even through me.”

That moment when you finally make it downstairs and can spot, from one point in the room, all the children that found the chocolate fountain.

That moment when the Bishop kneels for your first blessing.