Just Newlyweds

We spent our weekend in Fargo. This wasn't some second honeymoon in good old ND. We went to attend a wedding of a good friend of ours. Post-college, I have come to love weddings. Weddings are a better version of a high school/college reunion because you're only running into your friends. I have never actually been to a reunion, nor do I plan on it, because most of the people I would run into are not high on my priority list. If I'm not close enough with that person to keep in touch, then I don't really mind if I know what they are doing with their lives now. So, for that reason, weddings are way better than reunions.


Weddings are also filled with fuzzy people. These are the people that you know and if you think about it hard enough, you can probably remember their names. Or, if you can't, you jab a parent, point, and are reminded of the fuzzy person. Usually along with pointless knowledge of them that you don't really care to know, such as which street they used to live on. Most had no clue that Tim and I were married. The usual question, "how long?" We would look at each other, smile, and answer that it had been two years. Warning, a rant is coming up. The couple would usually smirk at each other and reply "why, you're just newlyweds!"


What in the world does that mean? Just newlyweds? Oh, you're not REALLY married yet, you're  newlyweds. You can't possibly understand what marriage is, you've only been married for two years. Wait a few more years and then we will recognize your marriage as valid.


Really folks? Sure, we may not have twenty years under the belt like some, but I tend to think we have a legitimate marriage. We have gone through huge, stressful changes together. Although these were not fun, they have made us much closer. Sadly, my brain had no logic in the actual conversation. Instead, I would reply with "Yep, but we dated for three years beforehand." Thinking that surely this would silence them. They would only shake their heads and say that dating is completely different than marriage. Which is true, dating is completely different.


But, isn't there a different response they could have had? Something along the lines of encouragement or congratulations? Maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe this is a phrase that they once heard and they wanted to bestow on someone. A rite of passage perhaps. Maybe I need to forget what they say like I have forgotten their names. Who cares what fuzzy people think anyway?

It may have only been two years, but it feels so much longer. Moving to the cities, full-time jobs, getting a puppy, buying a house. We really have enjoyed everything all of our big changes and each other along the way. So take that possibly well meaning veterans!

25

Today is my man's birthday. The big 25. Since this is his day, I feel like it's one of those acceptable days where I get to brag about the guy that I married. For those who get annoyed by this sort of thing, you should probably stop reading now. Now for those who don't know him very well I've decided to give you a glimpse of who this guy REALLY is.


 He can be a huge goof.

He has a smile for any situation, even if he's climbing up a cliff.

 He always looks GREAT in a tux.

And, he's a talented musician. 

Another trait you may not know about him, he's selfless. His birthday is one of my favorite days because it is one of the very few times that he will actually allow people to show their gratitude for him. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he didn't want some big party or to go out to an expensive restaurant (which is what I usually ask for). He wanted to have the youth group over for grilling and for a bonfire. I love his heart. I love that even in his off time, he wants to be ministering to those kids. And, they love him just as much, which is not always the way relationships go with youth pastors and their kids.


Now you have a better idea of who that guy is that's always with me. If you get a chance to see him, tell him Happy Birthday!


Here he is with some of his youth on a road trip this summer.

I hit jackpot with this guy. 

Rookie

Why hello blog world. I've finally decided to make a blog. Why, you ask? Is it because I'm terribly busy and can't keep up with friends? True, but no. In fact, that quite possibly should be the reason why I started this blog. If so, this is something that I should have done a long time ago. I really do have a hard time keeping up with friends and family at times.


However, I'm almost starting this blog out of guilt. It sounds weird, but bear with me. I love blogs. I love reading people's thoughts and learning about their lives. Those of you who I follow, I check your blogs often. I love knowing what's happening in your lives. Of course no one posts enough to keep me satisfied, so I find myself checking out your friends blogs too. Yup, I'm a creeper. But at the end of the day, I just love reading solid Christians and their thoughts about life. It is encouraging, even though I don't know some of these people, to know their thoughts about their thoughts and concerns.

So, I have come to feel like the friend who graciously receives every gift that is given to her but never gives one back. So times are a changing my friends. Not that I think I will have much to contribute in this area. I don't have the wisdom that so many of my friends have. In fact, there is a good chance that I will direct you to my more interesting friends' blogs a time or two. Thanks for reading, but I'm sure my blog isn't as interesting as yours.