Saturday, April 4, 2009

No, it's not what you think...

You may think that I have chosen to add this particular photo to complement some underlying message. A pictorial metaphor per se. No, the world has not 'gone to the dogs' , though some would argue the world might be better run. From front to back they are Babe, Bob, and Foxy. My wife chose their names earlier on before I knew her. Believe it or not, they are suitable.

Today is my wedding day and this little trio will become my adopted family. I've heard that animals really adopt us though. I have come to enjoy their personalities and care for their needs, especially now that I will become a permanent presence in their lives. On the eve of the wedding I presented my lady love with an adoption certificate stating I will become a guardian in their lives. I pretty much always have been, but now it's official. I didn't even consider the 'brownie points' I was going to get for that.

My family (Mom, Ray, Angie, Loren, Amanda, Skylar) drove in for the wedding yesterday and joined the Gal's family (Eddie, Irene, Uncle Dennis) here in our home last night. There was homemade lasagna and a large salad complete with bread sticks. Oh yeah, and lots of wine! The Blueberry Shiraz I bottled earlier in the week is going over very well with everyone. My brother bought us a humungous barbeque as a wedding gift. It was incredibly heavy and looks big enough to rotisserie a 25 pound turkey! It should be very nice to cook with come summer. My mother gave us some very ornate crystal wine glasses. My Aunt Shirley was not able to come for the wedding, but sent along a very nice spice rack and $50.

In less than a 11 hours I will be a married man. I'd be lying if I said I have not been jittery as of late. Last night was a turning point though. Seeing all my family around us and the new family I will very soon be a part of, I felt a sense of calm. Their actions are those of acceptance and it reinforces the fact that the choice I have made in 'my Gal' is the right one. The dimension of married life is one that will be full of challenges, but it is one that I have lived to discover my whole adult life. I thank all those who have helped to make this day a reality.