marriage rocks

I got married June 3rd. What a ride. I was the nervous groom who nearly passed out before the 4:00 do-or-die time. Okay, so I'm being dramatic. But this was the most important step I will take in my life. How could I not be nervous? Don't worry, the questions of "Am I doing the right thing?" or "What have I gotten myself into" were not the questions crossing my mind. The fact of all these people... coming to watch Sarah and I take this step... and the hype associated with weddings... is what made me a little light-headed.

Fast forward a week and three days... and life could not be better. I LOVE being married. This is fantastic. I guess you got that hint when you read the title to this inaugural post. A little more on the topic of blogs and posting in just a bit. First, I have to say, that the nerves have subsided. Let me take you into the moments before the wedding. The guys and I all took pictures together before the ceremony, as did the girls. So we got ready (I had to almost rush because I spent the morning by myself -- about two hours -- trying to get over my hangover NOT from the bachelor party [which was Wednesday] because some of the bridal party, including Butler, Sarah, and a handfull of others, thought it would be good to drink at the hotel bar Friday night. I had liquid cocaine that consisted of every shot available at the bar mixed into one tall shot...followed by a ta-kill-ya shot bought by some stranger. All this made me very friendly to everyone in the bar, and wiped my memory of most of the evening. Alone time on Saturday morning was breakfast at McDonald's, some time at the park to write a letter to Sarah, and a quick lunch at Dragon Place... I ate all of my eggdrop soup and none of the beef and broccoli that I ordered). Got all my clothes on, got to campus, and met with the guys. It was a very hot day. We sweated a lot, went to the Chapel, waited for Nelson the photographer, and finally took some pictures with my guys. That was a lot of fun.

We then went to Todd's office building and hung out, mostly at the sofas where my nerves took over my body. But we all did have a great talk -- just fun, goofy talk about each other, life, and fun times. Pastor Greg prayed with us a little later, and nearing showtime we walked on over to the chapel.

John gave me a couple of words for me to think of when I started getting nervous. The words were "Wicker furniture." I said those words a lot. 4:00 came, and Pastor Greg came to get me and the guys. We walked out, and listened to the final moments of the "Air" music by Handel as the bridesmaids finished walking in. THEN. SARAH. STARTED. WALKING. IN. Heart beats, and plenty of looks around the room, trying to hold up a smile as I connected eyes with my family and friends in the congregation. When people stood up, I couldn't even see her! I thought this is not how it's supposed to be. And I started thinking of that Men's Wearhouse commercial when the "I guarantee it" guy says, "When everyone is looking at her, she'll be looking at you." Well, she couldn't because everyone was so tall! Well, steps and steps later, I could FINALLY see her vail, and forehead, and finally neck, and then her beautiful face and then her waist and then...... SARAH! With her vail on, a very emotional Sarah. John, my father-in-law, said when Pastor Greg asked, "Who gives this woman to be married?" ... "Her mother and I do." I hugged him, and he forgot to pull her vail back before I got to take her hand. But oh well :) We proceeded to the altar, and it was calm nerves from then on.

We served communion at our wedding. Jon Moline, the president of TLU, said it was the best wedding ceremony he'd seen in decades. Wow! It was very nice. It was awesome.

That day came, and now it's gone. But the best part is this marriage will live on forever. I'm so happy. You know, it's no secret that Sarah and I lived together for four years before this. But still, something's different. Of course it is! I mean, life is the same... but it's not. I think I can best describe life before as a key that slides into a lock, but doesn't turn. See, it fits, but you can't get in. Now, that key turns the lock... and the door is open... and I am looking into the room on the other side. This room is decorated with a love very deep, blue eyes shining bright back at me, a hand that takes mine, and a friendship that took root but is now blossoming every day. What a room! This fits, and it makes me very happy. I don't think I ever imagined how life would feel on this other side. Now I'm experiencing it.

Jesse and Princeton made some remarks at the reception... which really made my eyes open. How we always need to remember to be models for each other's lives, and make this a Christ-centered partnership. There are so many memories of that day -- Rachael singing a part of "Come What May" during toasts; Mike V's talk about how a friendship that started with ripped pants at swing dancing may have made another person sit down and watch, but it didn't bother me and I danced with Sarah anyway; Janette's 'corny' "You'll always have Paris" (I didn't think it was that corny); John's observation of seeing our love from the outside; Sheradee's "is she your girlfriend? She's living with you, but she's not your girlfriend?" So many others...

We took a cruise for our honeymoon. What a great time. But it's even better being back home, living as husband and wife, and enjoying this extreme high. God, I thank you for Sarah, and for the tremendous people you have put in my life.

So this inaugural post. Not so inaugural, really. Had some blogs before, but I decided I wanted to get going again. New name, new look, new thoughts. I had some complaints when I took down the last one. I want to post for everyone who wants to know what's going on, but mostly I want to write for myself. So I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope I'm challenged to tell it like it is... even when telling it like it is may be a hard thing to do.