This Boy and I...

have now been married for 13 years. That's wild for me to really think about. Clay and I met in August of 1994 and married in September of 2000. Next August, we'll have known each other for 20 years. Just crazy. 

We've been through a lot. When we first got married, we were so broke, but I don't think we really noticed how much. Those days when we shared one car and lived in a tiny two room duplex were definitely character building years. We grew up a lot together. It was fun and tough all at the same time. 

Since we got married, we've been through the birth of our four sweet babies, the deaths of all four of our grandparents, and a lot in between those big life-changing events. We've changed jobs, houses, and cars...some better loved than others. 

Marriage is not easy. Some days you just have to grit your teeth and remember that you promised God and each other that this crazy ride was until death do us apart, not until someone finally remembers to pick up after themselves in a timely manner. 

I love this boy, especially 13 years later. 

So This Beautiful Friend of Mine Got Married...

On Friday, one of my most most favorite people on the planet got married, and I got to be her matron of honor. I had my toast for the reception all typed up in my pocket and ready to read, but at the end of the night, I realized that the moment had slipped everyone's mind, including mine. So I quietly tip toed to the bridal suite, and tucked my toast in the bride's makeup bag, because I wanted her to know how much her friendship means to me. When we were all packing up to leave, she found it early, read it, and we had a good hug and cry/snort filled laugh about it. I love you, Grainger! I'm toasting you now! 

   I have known Kristin for 8 years, since we were both new, 2^nd grade teachers with single wide trailers for classrooms. Over the years, we’ve shared a lot of laughter, a lot of intense episodes of Desperate Housewives, and a ridiculous number of sarcastic comments. We have been together through births, baptisms, grade level changes, and break ups. I am so excited that God has finally blessed Kristin with a great man, a man who makes her laugh often and often until she snorts. I’m grateful that he’s a man who may not be perfect but who is absolutely perfect for her. May you both be as happy in your next fifty years together as you are today. I love you and congratulations.