FORTY-ONE

August 23, 1969 was a really, really good day


Where did the years go? Feels like I blinked and missed something, especially when I realize that three of our grandchildren are now in school.


Then...


And now...


Thanks to my love for putting up with me for 41 years

Blessings,
Ken

Anchors Aweigh

...but it's love that keeps the heart anchored at home

In 1906 Charles A. Zimmerman and Alfred Hart Miles composed a piece that would be the fight song for the United States Naval Academy, one that would be viewed as the musical tribute to everything our Navy stands for. It's a stirring tribute, one that was playing in my head as I officiated a recent ceremony for Natalie and Jordan at The Tribute Golf Club in The Colony, Texas.

Jordan is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy; Natalie is his one and only love. The ceremony took place in front of approximately 200 very enthusiastic guests, and one very grateful minister. I was aware that after the Saturday evening ceremony, the couple would have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to honeymoon, Wednesday to travel to Virginia, and on Thursday Jordan would board a ship headed towards the horn of Africa for a six month deployment.

When I look at folks like Jordan and Natalie I know that our country's future is in good hands. The point should be made that this is a joint effort. Sure, Jordan will be away for months in a strange place, helping protect the freedoms that we enjoy. But Natalie will be here, waiting, supporting her man, giving him the reason to believe in his safe return, sharing once again that sweet kiss that sealed their wedding vows.

It was an honor to be in their presence.

Blessings,

Ken

The Princess Bride's Sundown Wedding

...At Fairy Tale Manor

The tall handsome prince and his beautiful petite princess tied the knot at Fairy Tale Manor in Frisco during a sundown wedding on July 31. Unlike the fictional princes and princesses, however, this couple brought along their four children ranging in age from 22 months to 10 years. These are the kids that made me the refrigerator art I posted a few weeks ago.

Todd and Shawna actually met at the end of high school back in the late 90's but did not date. As sometimes happens, they went their separate ways and then reconnected about three years ago. Shawna describes it as "love again at first sight". Todd and Shawna's daughter, Amelia (20 months) was the flower girl. Todd's three children Lillie, Cameron and Parker served as bridesmaid and groomsmen.

The couple chose to incorporate a beautiful Hawaiian tradition called Blending of the Sands. It's a wonderfully visual way to show the blending and unity of this new family by pouring different colors of sand into a vessel. The message is that they are now blended together in such a way that, like the colored sand, they can never be taken apart again.

My thanks to Trina, Sarah and the staff at Fairy Tale Manor for helping to make a wonderful memory for the couple, not to mention the staff always takes such great care of me when I go there. I'm also grateful to Laura Parker of Fairy Tale Photography for sending the sneak peak of the pix. Even though the wedding was at sundown, the fading light evidently wasn't an obstacle to Laura and Lauren to get some great shots in the glowy light just as the sun disappeared over the horizon.

Blessings,
Ken