Another Anniversary

Twenty-four years ago today, we shocked our classmates by getting married (on a Tuesday, no less!) after completing our last final exams in graduate school for the semester. Walking into my grammar class (linguistics), some friends started humming "Here Comes the Bride" which proved that the word was out.

My mom and dad drove over to Grand Prairie and met us at a small prayer chapel at Evangel Assembly of God, where they were our only witnesses to a simple church ceremony. Looking back, I am amazed at how focused we were on our lives and ministry that the actual ceremony was almost an afterthought. I do regret that we had no flowers, no music, and no photographer aside from my dad with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Even my dress was a make-over from a bridesmaid dress I bought for a friend's wedding. Finishing our classes was the priority, and then getting to Illinois to be with Jim's family by Christmas. All the frills seemed unimportant.

Our honeymoon night we spent in a swanky hotel in Fort Worth, armed with a basket of goodies my mom had provided, including a bottle of bubbly non-alcoholic juice and an adorable little cake for two, which the bell hop managed to drop. We do still have the cake topper, which was a Precious Moments Christmas ornament that somehow not only survived the fall, but also many Christmases of children handling it.

Tonight we will celebrate by going to Oaxaca City, staying in a hotel near the "zocalo" - the main town park which is decorated with poinsettia and Christmas lights. Musicians will be strolling the park, and maybe a band in the gazebo will be playing Christmas carols. This has become tradition. Tomorrow we will finish our Christmas shopping in the city....