It's Official-- They're Married

How can it be May 30th? That would mean that a whole week has passed since my son and his bride tied the knot! It seems like yesterday—no, wait—it seems like a year ago. How can I be so confused?

(Do you hear “Sunrise, Sunset” playing in the background?)

Yes, after five and a half years of courtship, my son and the Daffodil (remember? –De Facto Daughter-in-Law) finally made it legal. One week ago these lovely and kind and warm and smart and funny young people stood before their families and friends and recited vows and prayers that make them husband and wife. They signed the documents, they ate the cake, and they danced the official dance.

I cried during the ceremony, but I got control of myself, too.

At the reception I made a toast, and here’s what I said:

When word of their engagement got out last August, friends and family kept asking me if Rob had chosen a date for the wedding. I said, “Yeah—he’s taking Jessica, of course. Duh.”

It’s hard to be at a lifecycle event as important as this and not look back at the milestones in your child’s life. From the first time you held him, to his first steps, his first words, and for us, the first time he beat me at Scrabble.

I was asked just this morning if I was having a hard time with this—you know, letting go of my son. The answer was easy. No. I want my kids to be healthy and happy, to be strong and independent and generous. I want them to make good choices. Look at them—I got what I wanted. They’re both making wonderful choices again today.

Rob and Jessica, may your happiness continue to grow throughout long and meaningful years ahead, and may all your dreams come true.

It was a warm and poignant event, capped off with lots of great music and dancing. They had a great time, and so did everyone else in the place.

I’m not having a problem being a mother-in-law. I’m having trouble getting used to Rob calling Jessica his ex-girlfriend.

And since you were kind enough to ask, here are a few photos of the happy event!

No, I am not standing in a hole.  The Center of the Universe is freakishly tall. (And it's possible that I'm short.  Or short-ish.)

See?  I told you they were cute!

Happy is good.  Happy with cake is better.

                                                A grand time was had by all!

Wedding Day Is Here at Last!

Just a joyful note to let you know that I am pre-posting this, because my son is getting married today!  We have travelled to Pittsburgh for the happy event, and I will be off-line for the next week or so.  I'll be reading your blogs, and posting to mine again when we get back home.

Thanks for your patience, understanding, and all the good wishes you have sent my way!  I'll post some pictures as soon as I'm able!

L.

On the Road Again--Pittsburgh!

So I’ll be posting from the road for a day or two because I’m going to be visiting my son and his fiancé in Pittsburgh. I love Pittsburgh, but I adore my son and his fiancé more. I love being able to call her his fiancé now—after five years of thinking ‘girlfriend’ sounded too much like a high school relationship. I had come to think of her as my ‘de facto daughter-in-law’, and since I tend to make everything into an acronym (the blog is FITNY to me) I viewed her as my daffodil. (I was, however, savvy enough to keep this to myself.)

This was cool (and nerdy, I know—DUH! How many times must I tell you?) for several reasons.

1. I love daffodils. They are harbingers of spring. They are beautiful and graceful and bright. They represent happiness and hope.

2. I love this young woman. Yes, she is lovely and smart and sweet and caring. She is hard-working, accomplished, respected and highly principled. She has a social conscience and acts on it. And beyond all that, she adores my son, who adores her just as much, and she makes him happy. Which is really all a momma could want for her son. At least this momma.

3. I like playing dopey little word games. They amuse me. I love the Will Shortz puzzle segment on NPR Weekend Edition Sunday. Check it out.

Back to the subject: Wedding coming up in May 2010! Be there or be square—or in my case, be both. I’ll be the happiest mother of the groom (MOG) you ever saw!