SEVENTEEN

seventeen years ago right about this time, i was walking down the aisle of a little church in portsmouth, virginia. seventeen years ago i married my best friend.

four children, one angel, four dogs, three fish, one guinea pig later we're still together, still doing this thing called matrimony.

a few memories from our wedding day:

• when the limo didn't show up to get me to the church on time, it was up to me to do it myself...as we got near the tunnel & hit traffic, i do believe it's the first time i've ever sworn in front of my mom...and she understood and was fine with it LOL



• don't use an iron as a last minute touch up on the back of your dress. you might just swear again.



• don't place your candelabras directly under an airconditioning vent. the air might just cause the candles to burn too quickly and that might just catch your greenery on fire...YIKES. thank God for wedding coordinators with a good eye.



• do remember to check the weather forecast before you pack your overnight bag. temperatures could drastically change and you could FREEEEEEZE your newly married behind off because your only other choice of clothing is your wedding gown.



• fancy hotel right on the beach on PROM NIGHT may not be as quiet and romantic as you expected it to be.



• after your baptist fellowship hall reception (cake, punch and finger foods), when you decide upon a nightclub to go to with some of your friends and family, don't be surprised if it's acoustical night instead of the normal jazz night. and be prepared to be called out on the dance floor to dance to that fabulous hit MUSKRAT LOVE. followed by the most hilarious rendition of LOVE SHACK on guitar. i don't think i've ever laughed so hard.

i could go on and on...so many memories...

at church this morning i saw the sweetest couple...they were elderly and the husband was quite frail. she would help him as they walked together. they took communion, arms around each other in a sweet embrace and then gave each other a kiss. i couldn't stop watching them. and of course, if you know me, you'll know that i'm not exactly shy and so i approached them. told them that they were absolutely precious and that i hoped that the love my husband and i have for each other would be that evident to others through the years. you could just FEEL the love and adoration they had for each other.

we've had our ups and our downs, our ins and our outs and we've had surprises around every corner. and through it all we have been so very blessed.

cheers!