Learning

We had a fun time this weekend with Zach's mom and grandmother in town. This was the first time Granny Helen has been to our home and it was fun getting to show off our place. I'm proud of what me and Zach have here... we've worked hard for it... and we especially enjoy having our family here with us (for a short time of course!).

I think my favorite time of the weekend was not the chocolate covered cherry cake made in our kitchen but not by me or Zach (thanks Melanie...it's delicious!), but rather the time Saturday night we spent just talking. Since we don't live any where close to each other, I haven't had much time to spend with Granny Helen and I just love to hear her stories. I love to hear her and Melanie and Zach talk about things that happened long before I came into the picture. The more I learn about my husband's family the more I feel a part of his family.

I think my favorite part of the conversation was when Melanie asked where Granny Helen was born. She was born in her house by a midwife. Melanie wanted to know where her dad was during all this and Granny Helen said he was probably in the cellar drinking some wine with a neighbor friend. This got Zach to thinking... he wanted to know when the change was that men had to be in the delivery room. How did it evolve into this? It cracked me up when he said he wanted to be one of the men in the cellar drinking wine.

Not only did learn about his family. But I learned a little more about him. I love it!

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!!