Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 13

Day 13. The letter M for Max.

Today, I’ve been married to the love of my life, my best friend for 39 years, 5 months, and 18 days. It seems like yesterday when my dad walked me down the aisle and handed me off to Max. We had stars in our eyes and no earthly idea what we were doing. But, by the grace of God and his mercies which are new every morning, here we are. I’m thankful every day for Max, and just as I promised those many years ago to love, honor, and cherish, I’d marry him again in a heartbeat.

I love you, honey. Thank you for being the rock that I need, understanding all my wacky ways, and still loving me.

MEA CULPA !

My link and the name of the new blog I told you about yesterday was wrong. So much for trying to blog and carry on a family conversation. My apologies to my friends who created this new blog for all you romantics out there. I've corrected the original post.

The correct name is ROMANCE YOUR SPOUSE. Take another look! Today they've added a contest for Valentine's Day.

An another thing I forgot to point out. This blog is the creation of the wonderful folks at Tekeme, Ashley and George Weiss. Check them out, too. They usually have a contest going on for cool stuff or discounts on their creative work.

Have a great weekend!

LOVE AND ROMANCE - A New Blog You'll Like

Do you like to hear how other writers who are also wives and moms keep the romance sizzling in their marriage? ROMANCE YOUR SPOUSE, this mostly G-rated blog is fun, informative, and a joint effort by five of my favorite romance writing friends (Hint: One is a relative). Pop over and check them out. When you do, you'll see why I'm particularly excited about today's guest blogger.

Welcome to the Family

On August 2, 2008, Allison Janan Danielle Garner repeated her I Do’s and became Mrs. James Stewart, the lovely wife of our youngest son. It was a beautiful ceremony in the Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. There were so many tender, beautiful moments. Lovely music. The sacred vows sealed with holy communion. The gathering of family and loved ones to wish these two precious people well.

Coming from a family with only her parents, one brother and a sassy sister-in-law, Allison committed an act of great bravery entering our family of countless in-laws, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nephews, nieces, and cousins. What a girl! We are thrilled to have her and celebrated with her and James last weekend. So, for family and friends, to those who have endured our endless litanies about wedding and travel plans, we love you. Enjoy the wedding pics.

Nancy and Jan, Allison's gracious and wonderful parents

Carla and Max (who are fortunate to be the parents of four great boys!)

The glass carriage for a fairy tale wedding, of course.

Members of the wedding party. They're not as innocent as they look :-)

Ceremony in the Rose Court Garden

The bride and groom at the sweetheart table at their reception

The Mad Hatter Wedding Cake

The groom's cake. The recessional at the ceremony was "Boomer Sooner" - what else? They're both University of Oklahoma grads. Sure makes us proud, don'tcha know?

Allison and James Stewart

I'll have another post soon about a VERY bizarre thing that happened at the wedding reception. Stay tuned!

SPECIAL DAY

Today is a special day all around. First of all, thank you to all who serve in our military to keep our world a safer place--Huge wave to my son, Brett, who serves in the US Coast Guard! We are very proud of you! To those who gave their lives for our freedom as well as loved ones who've gone on before us, there is nothing we can do to pay our debt of gratitude, but we do remember all of you today--Memorial Day.

Thirty-six years ago today, the most significant event of my adult life took place. Max and I were married in a small-town Lutheran church (which had no air conditioner, and we have never forgotten that bit of trivia!). We thought we knew everything then--all about love and life. Boy, were we naive. God blessed our vows, though, and it has been a wonderful ride, loop-de-loops and all. Max was then, and still is, my best friend. For you honey, thanks. I love you and want to grow old (very old, not just middle-aged old) with you.

We've celebrated our anniversary in a variety of ways over the years. Hot dogs and wine for the first one. That was the best we could do since we had moved on that day and didn't have the energy to go anywhere and couldn't have found clean clothes anyway. We fared better in other years. Once Max took me to New Orleans, and we enjoyed hanging out on Bourbon Street and going on a moonlight Riverboat ride. I'm so glad we had a couple of great visits to that mesmerizing city before Katrina came along.

Most years, though, we've had a dinner in a nice restaurant followed by watching the movie, Fiddler on the Roof, which we saw on our honeymoon. This year, we're going to splurge and go to the new Indiana Jones movie--after a nice dinner, of course.

The other reason today is special is that it is my youngest sister, Marsha's birthday. She's forgiven us (I think) for scheduling our wedding on her special day, but it's a handy way to remember her birthday. Hope it's a good one, Sis!

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!