Wedding Bells before Sleigh Bells

Last weekend we married off the last of the college "roomies". It's disheartening to think that this might be the last hurrah for us as a group. Sure, there will be hunting or fishing plans in the future but we realize that there won't be many more chances like this for husbands and wives, buddies and pals, to cut loose on this scale. That is, of course, unless we make reasons to gather. Make reasons to celebrate. Make reasons to run to the liquor store and by some Rum so that the ladies dance and smile the night away.

A couple of days past Thanksgiving, Sean and Jessi's wedding showed me again that I have a lot to be thankful for. My friends are there to laugh at the goofiness that my wife shrugs off with a grin. Although hard times may be falling all over the land, our group is healthy. Comfortable. Optimistic. Brent can still sit and talk about paddling a canoe until his arms fall off and Tommy and Paul will listen. BUT Brent can also swap stories about raising babies and we will all listen just as intently. 'Mom's to be' sat at the table and gave off that special glow of expectant mothers while the other Moms reveled in their own children's accomplishments.
The Groom's dad kept a close watch on Table 17 - anticipating some college days party of old to erupt. When he realized that we had tamed our outward braggadocio but maintained our upbeat look on life, I'm sure he was at ease. His eldest was taking the vows of matrimony in the presence of friends - friends that are happy. Friends that are experienced. Friends that are thankful.

We didn't get much face time with the Bride or Groom. It'd be selfish to expect that on such a big day for them. I probably would have just cracked a joke and given a hug. Offering up worldy advice at an event like this always seems so corny anyways. But now that I've got a moment, I offer them this - Love each other. Love your time together. Love your time apart. Communicate, whether verbal or non-verbal, but communicate always. Be positive - more like Tigger and less like Eeyore.

Which leads me to my TITLE : "Wedding Bells before Sleigh Bells" - Next sunday (Dec. 14th) Michele and I will have been married for 6 years. My buddy's wedding helped remind me that those have been the best 6 years of my life. On the outside I must come off as a fella that thinks of football and muskies most of my days. But I am here to tell you that My Wife consumes as much of my mental space today as she did when I first fell in love with her back in Bemidji. I shouldn't need a reminder of how much I love her but when the reminders come like they did at this wedding, I feel like a love sick puppy all over again - Struck by cupid with an endless supply of arrows. Michele is breathtakingly gorgeous. The bride is supposed to be the prettiest girl in the room - well this time, I beg to differ. My wife is a knockout. Her gentle touch on my hand during the ceremony nearly made my heart leave my chest. I was so proud. We may be getting older but proved that we can still make a pretty mean dancing pair. Having Michele on my arm completes me. If she was a FISH - I hold her up and take my picture with her. She's a trophy - I would never let her go though.
I love you Michele.
Happy Anniversary - 1 and a half weeks early.
K