Well, here we are…welcome everybody, to 2018

I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday season. I certainly did. I’m not even sure exactly what day of the week it is at this point. It feels like there were three Sundays in last week. Three Sundays, and a wedding.

We have had five Christmas dinners over the past eight days, with one more coming up this weekend. I’m excited about it because I get to spend time with my in-laws, and many of my readers know the fine history there. I’m sure a lot of you have similar stories you could share. Time has been kind though. My mother-in-law and I haven’t had a falling-out in several years. She is older now…and I am too. But trust me, once upon a time, we were good at it.

This year, as a little added Christmas magic, and with only 48 hours before Santa was set to arrive, my middle daughter eloped. Merry Christmas!

She had been planning a March wedding, but said it had become stressful and she just wanted to be married. Plus, she said she found a good price on a package deal at a chapel on the side of a mountain in Mentone.

And yes, I have asked her if what she meant by that was that she is going to have a baby. I asked her several times actually. I even had her sisters and a couple of my best friends ask her too, but her answer remains the same.

While I was somewhat shocked by her decision, I have no issue with it and honestly understand her logic to some degree. Eloping has always been my preferred wedding method.

I’ll spare everyone the riveting details about our Bay County Courthouse wedding in Panama City, Florida. As elaborate as it was, the whole thing took about 15 minutes and we were able to make it to Hooter’s to kick-off the honeymoon just after the midday rush. It was great. And as far as I know it is still on record and in fairly good standing 22 years later.

I think I could have even still fit into the dress before the five Christmases last week.

Marriage, like a New Year’s resolution, takes choosing right consistently until the tendency to do so becomes habit.

No matter the goal we set the stumbling blocks are the same – greed, lust, having to be right, gluttony, pride, vanity, fear – and they are all

temporary.

We all arrive at the altar flawed. We are wonderfully made, yet we are imperfect. We know what is important in order to achieve what we want, but we still tend seek what is shallow and meaningless.

Success in anything requires scope. It means choosing to anchor ourselves to permanent convictions.

Our weaknesses allow us to grow our greatest strengths, and our humble choices ascend us to our best selves, greatest joys, and highest loves.

Melissa of course did make an exceptionally beautiful bride. As a couple they complement one another. I wish them peace, happiness, prosperity and joy – as well as the wisdom and patience to learn the differences of each.