Jenny and I went to her friend’s wedding Saturday night in Dallas. I didn’t know the couple, but many of Jenny’s friends and family were there. At someone else’s suggestion, I’ve started a tradition when I attend a wedding. When everyone rises to watch the bride enter, I watch the groom instead to see his reaction when she appears.

I was a groom myself nearly 6 years ago. My heart was racing with anticipation by the time both our sisters had walked down the aisle and taken their places at the altar. I knew that when those doors at the back opened, I would finally see the woman I was about to marry, and my world was about to change forever in ways I could only begin to understand. Normally I’m not a big cryer, but I teared up before she even opened the door. Happiness, gratitude, relief, pride, excitement, fear, and many other emotions swirled together in a fluttery mess in my chest. Then I saw her. I couldn’t help but smile. My vision blurred a bit as the tears rose in my eyes. The wait was over. We would leave the room as husband and wife. My wife-to-be-in-20-minutes was walking toward me, her eyes never looking away, to promise her life to me. The weight of how crazy and perfect and wonderful that truth was convinced me that I was exactly where I needed to be, and I didn’t care if I looked like a blubbering idiot penguin up there.

Watching Mike, a guy I’d never even met, wait for his bride and finally see her enter…it got to me. It takes me back every time. Next time you’re at a wedding, and the mother of the bride stands up, forget the bride for a second. You’ll be staring at her back for the next half-hour. Watch the groom melt instead.