Happy day...

My big (as in older, not bigger, because she is not) cousin, Em, got married this last weekend. It was short, simple, and beautiful. She is not only family, but a good friend. We grew up together (mostly). She moved around a lot because of her dad's job, but we always found a way to stay close. When I was younger, I totally looked up to her. When her family lived here, I went home with her some. We would always get a pudding pop before she had to go off to piano lessons. My brother, her brother, us, and tons of other neighborhood kids always met up at the "Big Field". We would play spy and she would be code name "Cover girl" and I would be "Fig Newton Head". Hey...I didn't say I was proud about all of our past...I'm just stating the facts. We would play with our Madame Alexander dolls and "Real Babys". We spent countless hours at G-ma's (& with G-ma)...out on the roof, or playing library, or trying G-ma's coffee (I never liked it, so I wonder why I've grown so fond of it the past couple of years). Em taught me quite a bit. And, we got in quite a bit of trouble together. When I was visiting her in Jersey, on one particular (not planned, against the rules, we got in big trouble for ) trip to the shore, I learned the meaning of "lewd". No, we were not participating in it, but we did learn what it was...and we'll just leave it at that. However, I did hear that the guy that was with us appeared on an episode of "COPS" a few years later. NICE! Add that one to the "Stories to pass onto your children"...or not. She gave me a baby shower when I was way too young to be having a baby, she made me feel accepted and ok (even though I really wasn't). She's been there with me through a lot...and I'm so glad she has been. Anyway, those memories are just the tip of the iceberg. There are thirty years of memories with her engraved on my heart. She's a good cousin, mom, & friend...and is going to make a great wife and step-mommy. I pray that her and Jason will always, always cherish each other. I pray that their lives together are nothing short of blessed. I pray that their blended family has many years of happiness ahead. Heck, if he's good enough to her, maybe she'll teach him about lewd behavior...you never know...

So...Congrats to Emily...Jason...and the kiddos...
Thanks for sharing your special day, I couldn't be any happier for you guys...
Live every day with love and gratitude for each other...
Hugs