A week of memories

How to capture a week of memories into one blog post? How to collapse boat rides and kayaking and building sandcastles -- and a beautiful wedding and a family reunion! -- into one quick post? While I ponder this, I'm going to start at the end: Luke and Kristen are married! The lovely Kristen officially became Mrs. Luke Wind and mommy to wild dog Bruce at 5 p.m. on Saturday. We are thrilled to have her in the family. Luke, you chose well!

Saturday morning we awoke to severe storms, but around noon we watched the dark clouds break into sunshine. Later that evening I watched my little brother's face break from its creases of anxiety into pure joy as his bride-to-be descended the stairs and joined her hands to his. Their pastor gave them three points of advice and one challenge: That God has pursued them and always will, that God is always quick to forgive, and that God loves them regardless. The challenge: To always pursue each other, to always forgive each other, and to always love each other, just as God does.


I can't add anything really profound to that, so I will just catalogue some of my own observations of highlights (and lo-lights) from the weekend:

• Seeing cousins, aunts and uncles we hadn't seen for a very long time! Whoa, my cousins aren't adolescents anymore! Seriously, guys, I enjoyed all the kayak trips, and my kids adore you all. Aunt Karen, Vincent cried when he realized you live "way far away" in Iowa. Mary Kay, I couldn't have done the beach without you. Peter & Matt, thanks for the run! 
• Kayaking: Somebody buy me a kayak, please. On the first night Stephen & I took the kayaks out at sunset for a nice little spin around the marsh. And by that I mean that like idiots we took them out when it was already dark, without knowing exactly where we were going, and Mom nearly called the Coast Guard on us (the Coast Guard being Luke and his boat).
• Watching my kids try new things. They loved kayaking and boogie-boarding (thanks for the lessons, Will!) but the battleship was not a big hit. Catherine only tolerated it because I let her wear her pink tutu (yeah, nothing ironic about that at all). Aunt Karen, she is already begging me for sewing projects. 
• Seeing Luke's childhood buddies. Y'all are a great group of guys (yes, even you, Downey). Even if Catherine now thinks that Texans don't drive cars. And if she is under the impression that she can call Uncle Downey whenever she wants something. Speaking of which, Downey, I need your credit card information. Catherine wants a pony. 
• Using a curling iron for my up-do. Last time I used one: Prom, 1995. The only person amused by the situation was Vincent, who kept asking when my hair was going to catch on fire. 
• Watching Luke & Kristen's slide show with all their baby photos. It finally hit me that my baby brother is all grown up and that Tara and I can't tie him to trees anymore. But really, Luke, I could not be prouder of the man you have become. You are responsible, sweet, funny and a great uncle. Love you, brother. 
• Realizing how abundantly blessed our family is. Mom, thanks so much for renting the beach houses. Family from far away, thank you for making the trip down here. Everyone, thanks for watching the kiddos so I could kayak. And Kristen, thank you for making Luke so happy. God bless you both!