Couples' Shower in Austin

This Saturday was our wedding events kick off- Neil and my couples' shower hosted by Missy, Amye and Stacie. The theme was Mojitos, Margaritas and Munchies with much needed gifts cards from Lowes and Home Depot for our still-in-progress home renovation. The party was a blast- Neil and I began the day with Kempo X and by party time - we had worked out all the kinks and were ready to enjoy some much needed fun with our friends and family.

When we walked in- I have to admit I was completely overwhelmed and humbled by the love and blessings from our friends and family. We are really a lucky pair of people to have so much wisdom, love and support around us- not to mention people who just know how to enjoy life. The mojitos and margaritas flowed- and the mini-tacos, taquitos and queso were a hit for everyone. Surrounded by smiling faces- both long-time friends and new- we celebrated the night away in Steiner Ranch... and then The Ranch, and then home again for one last bottle of champagne and... with house guests- Ryan and Sandra- the night ended with a round of Rock Band.

Here is some of the advice we received: Tips for a Happy Marriage!
1. Keep God First!
2. When in doubt: Jewelry
3. Never go to bed angry
4. Have lots of parties and don't sweat the small stuff
5. Love makes a house a home
6. More to come...

What's your best tip for a happy marriage?

love & marriage, love & marriage, fit together like a horse and carriage...

Planning our life- planning our wedding- my blushing crush grows to the man in my life in only 3 ever-so-short years. Three years ago, this week- I was teaching in an English classroom, receiving a text message from my latest, and hottest, date- Neil... "Let's get together..." Valentine's evening, we laughed through dinner at the Roaring Fork, and walked outside and into a carriage ride around downtown Austin. I'd lived in Austin my entire life, but had never seen downtown from a horse-drawn carriage. He kissed me between skyscrapers and stoplights and a new perspective, a new love, had arrived.

Life flew by between now and then, the details of which I'll save for another day. And here we are feeling the complexity of the life-long commitment we are excited and also overwhelmed by. Thinking about marriage makes for a full plate and sometimes stomach pains- past, dreams, fears, loves, and a side and salad for each. Instead of getting carried away at the pre-martial buffet of questions, possibilities and harsh reality of human nature- let's get back to basics. Find our laughter, our kisses, and just enjoy the ride.

Grandmothers

Both my grandmother and great-grand mother live in Illinois, in an elderly care home. My grandmother is in the stages of Alzheimer's and lives many days in the past. I call her to talk, she never remembers, but still chats away to me about what she did that day- well- what she did that day- in her mind. In our last call- she told me of her boys (her 6 sons- now grown of course) She told me how they piled into their van and headed to the park and went to church. She may not know what's happening all the time in her day- but I am comforted knowing that she lives somewhere happy. She does not remember that she is married- but tells me always that she has a nice man friend who visits her. She says he makes her laugh all day. He still believes that she will get better and come home. Thank you sir- you are a good man.

Sometimes, she'll talk to me about me. Once she described going to my childhood dance recital... She said, "Oh I just loved to watch Melanie dance- she danced like an angel." I don't really think she actually ever made it to those recitals... not at least that I remember. But I don't care- I guess she just loved whatever I did- which is the magic of Grandmothers.

Her mother is there too, Bertha (I was almost named after her). She just celebrated her 97th birthday. I talk with her too- she is sharp as a tack. Even though her husband passed away a few years ago- her passion for life did not waiver much- she learned to play the harmonica. She plays hymns at the church near her home, and for her friends and family.

She says to me, "If the good Lord hasn't taken me yet, then there's a good reason I'm still here. And I'll just keep on going, playing my harmonica, going to church, and I play cards too, you know, but most of the people here can't keep up."

There's a unique tie between grandmothers and granddaughters. I don't exactly know how to describe it- an un-bothered love, an intuition that I am strong because women before me were strong, a comfort that if she can do it- so can I. Life is precious, short, and meaningful. Don't sweat the small stuff.