Dynamic Marriage

Paul and I had been married for a glorious eleven days before we had our first big fight.  It was over something silly, of course, but it didn’t seem like it at the time.  I felt like all our future happiness and self-respect was hanging in the balance, teetering on the outcome of our fireworks. … Continue reading »

How To Save a Life

It’s that time again.  A time for heroes.  This year’s National Marrow Donor Drive is June 8th through June 22nd.  For those two weeks, joining the National Marrow Donor Registry is absolutely free, and it’s as easy as walking in and letting a charming technician swab the inside of your mouth with a Q-tip. Your … Continue reading »

Prince Charming

(An online friend of mine who writes a feature column in the local newspaper is doing a special on love stories to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  I was delighted when he asked me to contribute a few paragraphs about my romance with Paul.  I thought I’d post my contribution here, too.  If you’d like, use the … Continue reading »

Merry Christmas!

This morning, we got a text message from Daniel, my newest brother-in-law.  It said: Wishing you the very best in this time of yearning between the now and the not yet. Happy Christmas Daniel & Amber On this day of family, food, and friendship, I pray the same for you–both the yearning, and the fulfillment … Continue reading »

So This Is Love

We were sitting in church this morning when Paul reached over and pulled a single long hair off the sleeve of my sweater.  He held it up and we could both see it shimmering silver in the overhead lights. I leaned over and whispered, “It’s official.  You’re married to an old lady.”  He chuckled quietly. … Continue reading »

Can’t Buy Me Love

Paul knew I’d had a busy day today, full of running errands and catching up from our long weekend, and since he was going to be out with the guys tonight, he suggested we stop for fast food on the way home to relieve me of the chore of cooking dinner. I was easily persuaded. … Continue reading »

Safe Sex

This dire statistic led the news this week: according to a recent study, 1 in 4 teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease. About twice that many are sexually active. Educators are aghast, while parents are shocked and dismayed, and why shouldn’t they be? After all, this is the enlightened age of comprehensive sex education, … Continue reading »

Thank You for My Husband

Amber and Daniel are deep in the throes of wedding planning. They’re making reservations, designing table centerpieces, and trying to figure out the best way to mix Shona wedding traditions with those of the American south. Daniel is happily spreading the news to friends across the world and the glow around Amber has, if anything, … Continue reading »

Patches

“Young lovers seek perfection. Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together and of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of patches.” –How to Make an American Quilt

Marry Me?

It’s official!  My sister Amber is engaged!  Daniel popped the question this morning at church in front of our whole congregation.  As he got down on one knee, everyone gasped in delighted surprise at the same time and sucked nearly all of the oxygen out of the room. Her reply:  “Of course!”