I glanced down at my phone as a text notification pinged. “Mom, do you have some lotion and Chapstick?” My heart jumped, like a schoolgirl when a note gets passed to her from someone she admires. The simple request was significant. It was from my son on his wedding day.

Sure, I told him—I was leaving for the venue and would arrive shortly. My heart warmed as I drove through the below-freezing wind chills and snowy roads. My son and his bride chose a winter wedding, and God answered all their prayers for the dreamiest, snowiest, picture-perfect day they hoped for.

All the Feels

My feelings fluctuated for many reasons. I was happy for such a beautiful day and that this marriage was happening. I was anxious and stressed about the weather and worried for those traveling all day. The Chapstick and lotion text brought up the other feelings I couldn’t allow myself to feel today; those only mothers of boys understand. The experience of the lasts that occur as you let go of the man-child you’ve raised and point him toward the woman God chose to be first in his life.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed down the thoughts—this is the last time he’ll ask me for what he needs. As a boy mom, most of my relationship with my sons has involved requests for food, snacks, sports uniforms that need washing, and personal items they forgot for various reasons. Providing these simple needs, like Chapstick and lotion, has been the bridge in my relationship with them as they went through their teens and into adulthood. Now that my last child is getting married, I know the calls for help will shift to their dad—how to fix something on the car, advice on lawn mowers, or how to invest their tax returns. My job moving forward is to step back, let my son go, and point him toward his wife for his needs, even those of Chapstick and lotion. I was excited for one last special moment with my boy before he said his vows.

The Quiet Lasts

Arriving at the venue, I brought in what I needed, settled in, and saw my man-child and bride staying calm and warm inside while they jaunted back and forth, taking photos in the snow. I was awestruck that this moment was finally here, and it felt good. My son looked at me and smiled, my heart fluttering again, when I realized his cold hands needed lotion, and his lips needed moisture from the cold. I dug into my purse and handed them to him. He said thanks and went outside again with his bride, and God reassured me once more, placing His hand as a balm on my heart.

When Jesus Meets Us

Because today, my heart lost another part of itself. When each of my sons went to college and then got married, I realized that releasing them meant they took a part of me with them, even though they didn’t know it. For moms, it’s a tearing away. We’ve carried these children, given birth to them, and each step they take away from us feels like the right move. It’s the proper way for God to guide them on their journey and, when He permits, alongside the woman who completes him.

Through that text message, God reached out to me. The simple request revealed that even on his wedding day, my son still knew his mom would serve him, care for him, and be present. It was also Jesus telling me that He saw me on this day, filled with new beginnings and bittersweet endings. God, in turn, served me, cared for me, and was present for me in just the right way.

Where God Meets You

Friends, God meets you in unexpected ways, too. While this story is deeply attached to my role as a mom, the bigger message is how God meets us in simple yet intimate ways.

I wonder how you have seen Jesus meet you in your season? You may not have big things happening, like weddings. But God is still with you, meeting you in small ways. Think for a moment to consider where He has met you recently. What did He do? I’d love to hear how you’ve noticed Him showing up for you.