28 Years

At half-past three in the afternoon 28 years ago today, my parents were married. Mom said she always loved the sound of "half-past" and really wanted that for her wedding. They got married in Memphis, TN which is where my mom grew up. I love to hear stories from their wedding day, such as... One of the pastors who married them was the pastor of my dad's church in Mississippi, Bro. Willie (who happens to still be the pastor today). They had to have two pastors because Bro. Willie couldn't officially pronounce them since he was from another state. My dad wore a white tux and my mom a beautiful white dress. The groomsmen wore powder blue tuxes and the bridesmaids wore powder blue frilly dresses. Aunt Deborah sang a song, I can't remember which one. Aunt Cathie was the maid of honor and my papaw was the best man. They had all the traditional moments (toss the bouquet, throw the guarder, cut the cake, pictures, pictures, pictures) , but I think one of my favorite stories from that day is the first place my parents went after they left the reception.

Mom was extremely close to her grandmother, gramma. But around the time mom was to get married, gramma (one of the ladies I was named after) was getting sick and required some extra care. Mom was still planning on her attending the wedding, she wouldn't have had it any other way. One day, I don't know how long before the wedding, gramma told mom that her gift to my mom and dad was to not be at the wedding. Of course mom was shocked. She told her no, that she had to the wedding. Gramma told mom that if she was at the wedding, then people would be worried about her and making sure that she was ok, when that day was to be my mom's day. She did not want to take anything away from my mom's special day. Unwillingly, my mom agreed. And mom and dad had their special day. But... after the new Mr. and Mrs. Steve Shaw left their wedding reception, the first place they went was to see gramma.

I am so proud of my parents and am extremely blessed to have them. They have set a wonderful example of what marriage is. Sacrifice, unselfishness, and unconditional love have been there all along. They have their moments as all married couples do but there is not a doubt in my mind that they will always be together.

Thank you mom and dad. Happy Anniversary!!