THE START OF THE REST OF MY LIFE

I was sitting with my brother Mike in his black El Camino 47 years ago today. I had just spent the last night of the first part of my life in my Mom and Dad’s house. Being my best man it was Mike’s job to see that I got to the church on time. We were wearing black patent leather shoes, black slacks, white tuxedo jacket and a bow tie. It was the custom not to see your bride before your wedding so we were parked down the block from St. Joseph’s church. Not being too far removed from a tour in the Army it was Mike’s custom to arrive early.

I had met Terry on a blind date arranged by my closest friend, Richard. I knew before I laid eyes on her that she was the one. There was not a smidgen of doubt in my mind. I proposed on our third date and we set a wedding date for a few months later.

As we waited we watched as family and friends began to arrive. We talked about things only 2 brothers or 2 sisters as close as we were could talk about at that time and that place. I asked Mike if he had a pencil and some paper. He found a rumpled note pad and a pencil in his glove compartment. In what was a very feeble attempt to condense a life time of thanks into words, I wrote a few pages for Mike to give to my Mom and Dad that night after we left on our honeymoon to begin the rest of our life.

At the appropriate time we pulled around in front of the church. We went down the side to meet up with the ushers before entering. As we took our places I looked down the long aisle to see Terry standing with her Dad. Wearing a long white wedding dress and veil, she was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Nothing has changed. She is still as beautiful as ever and there is still that smile. No one smiles like Terry does. It is a treasure for which I am grateful every day of my life.

We will have dinner somewhere tonight to celebrate our 47 years together. Four beautiful, healthy kids, an ideal son and daughter in law and 5 precious grand kids later, there is a priceless sense of contentment. Few words will need to be said. She knows how I feel. God has blessed me in so, so many ways but none more so than by allowing me to share this life we are given with my best friend.