I can still close my eyes, and see vividly, the day we took our vows, in a Scottsdale chapel, outside, with the most beautiful scenic desert view. We were married on January 3rd 2003, in the presence of Robby, Tayler, Riley and my parents. Kevin wrote our vows, that we shared, and within 10 minutes time, we were husband and wife. The evening was spent at a reception we gave at our home, for all our friends, and my parents. Most of the friends that attended were from my work place at the time. My father was in charge of toasting Kevin and I, as a newly married couple. The house was crammed full of people, and dad had already partook of a few beers, when he rose his champagne glass to toast us. I know he was a little on the nervous side, by the time the crowd grew silent for his toast.

He cleared his throat, and very clearly stated, “To Teri & Randy.” At this point I went white and gasped! Randy by the way, was husband number two. There was nothing left to do, but laugh. By the shock on my fathers face, I know he couldn’t believe what he had just said. He did recover and gave us a lovely toast. And the rest of the evening was full of giggling over his faux pas. My wonderful husband, who is very easy going, was not flustered by the moment, and could see the humor in the toast. And the likelihood of this happening, when two middle-aged people, with enough baggage to fill a Cruise ship, takes their vows.

When we chose the date for our wedding, neither of us were aware that it was also the day of the Fiesta Bowl. So the TV room was occupied by the die hard fans, wanting to catch part of the game, as well as the groom, when he was able to sneek off. A game, that I might add went into double overtime, before Ohio State won the National Championship. The party continued on till close to midnight, with a hand full of our friends now all gathered in the TV room, drinking, talking and watching TV. The patio that moments earlier was packed with partiers, was empty, and my new husband and I danced to “our song” alone for the first time as man and wife.

Our wedding was far from traditional, unique to the two of us and memorable for us beyond measure. By the time we danced to “our song” I was out of my gown, in a pair of jeans, and enjoying the casual atmosphere, that we created with the help of some good friends. Far from wedding picture perfect, it was perfect for us.











The next morning was busy visiting with my parents, and saying our goodbyes to the kids for the next nine days. We made it to the airport 2 hours in advance, to get thru all the red tape that was airport life, post 9/11. Unfortunately the airport was crammed full with lines that snaked around the check-in point, due to the Fiesta Bowl revelers heading home. And for two hours we held our breath, as time ticked away from our departure to New Orleans. Once we made it past security, in a dead run we headed for our flight. We made it to the gate, seeing our plane still sitting there, only to learn they had given our seats away. Although our bags, of which there were many, had made it on the flight.

At which point, my new husband saw just how brutal his “blushing bride” could get. Looking back, that poor attendant didn’t deserve the brunt of my rage, but at the time, I could have effortlessly strangled her, and the rest of the airport workers without thinking twice. Our flight would have brought us into New Orleans by 4:00 PM that day. The Cruise, wasn’t scheduled to leave for Jamaica until 4:00 PM the next day. Being a pessimistic optimist, I always leave room for “error” although not expecting any. And I wanted a tour of New Orleans before heading out.

My rage at all things airport did not subside, until the attendant had us booked on United Airlines, first class. Although there was a connecting flight from Denver to New Orleans, that had us arriving at 10:00 PM. Arriving at the New Orleans airport, our next challenge was to find out luggage that had arrived there at 4:00 PM on our original flight. We managed to locate it, just as the attendant was locking up all the misplaced luggage for the night.

Now, completely exhausted, and loaded down with enough luggage, to last a month abroad, we hailed a cab. Barely fitting all our luggage and us, we collapsed inside the cab, and pulled out the hotel confirmation slip, that Kevin had booked online. A closer look at the confirmation slip, showed he had booked the reservation for the wrong date. At this point, I began to count, not wanting to say a word out loud, for fear of the amount of rage my new husband would sustain. The rest of the cab ride was in silence, with both of us holding our breath. The thought of not being able to find a hotel room at 11:00 PM at night, on both of our minds.

They had a vacancy luckily, and of course he cancelled the reservation for the wrong date. We walked around the streets of New Orleans, which for being so late, was packed with partiers, noise and music. After grabbing a bite to eat, and listening to some music, we walked around some more. I coerced my new husband into going into the seediest looking strip club, wanting to see the revelers and debauchery first hand. Unfortunately a nasty fight broke out inside the club, that had my husband more then a little concerned, and me laughing all the way out the door.



The next morning, although colder then a witches tit, was clear and sunny. We had a lovely brunch on an outside balcony of a restaurant, where we could watch street musicians perform. Although our stay in New Orleans was brief, we both enjoyed it thoroughly. We made it to the Cruise ship, with no mishaps and excited to explore our temporary home for 7 nights. I had booked a cabin with a private balcony, that we ended up taking full advantage of. Although we weren’t supposed to, we would prop the door open at night, letting the sea air into our cabin each night.

On the Cruise, we were able to explore part of Jamaica, Mexico and the Cayman Islands. The bus ride out to Negril Beach had us scared shitless, as it seemed most of the drivers there, drive like bats out of Hell. But we made it in one piece, and enjoyed the beach and Jimmy Buffets Bar. I know eventually we plan on another Cruise in the somewhat near future, wanting to see more of the Caribbean.

Our Wedding and Honeymoon, I know holds so many special memories for us. It also held several challenges that did not end with missing our flight. On the Cruise ship, I had bought some internet time, needing to keep abreast of a few different developments back home. Towards the end of the Honeymoon came the news that my mother’s breast cancer was worse then they had originally thought. That she would need a double mastectomy, to battle it. Although devastating news, my husband and I kneeled in prayer that night, and cried together. Beginning a habit of praying together, that I know will last the rest of our lives.

The other development, was the company I worked for had some problems that would take them from hiring 20 people two months earlier, to lay offs wide spread thru each department. My boss sent me an email letting me know, as he had promised. This set of lay offs, I was spared from, although several of my friends were let go. Again, we prayed together, for my friends, and the company I worked for.

Although we were thrilled to be married, it was not a fairytale of happily ever after. From the very beginning, we learned to cling together through the trials that come in all of our lives. Most likely at a higher rate, the older we get. We learned from the beginning, that we needed to cherish each day and night together. It had us promising, that we would never crawl into bed for the night alone.

We have had our share of trials over the last three years, that in retrospect, we know God is there watching over all of us. That each day, we can set our marriage and life on Him, as a foundation. He doesn’t promise us a care free life, but He gives us His comfort, joy, peace and love. And each other, until death do us part.

As my husband and I celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary today, a day much like any other, I know we are saying a prayer of thanksgiving, for all of the Blessings He has bestowed upon our lives. We see His hand in our lives daily.  We lift all glory to Him, our Savior, for bringing us together, to share in our joys, heart-aches, successes and problems. And “our song” continues to be our song, fitting as it was on January 3rd 2003 as it is today January 3rd 2006.

I love you my husband, and wish you a Happy 3rd Anniversary. Here’s to 20 more!

Tim McGraw - All We Ever Find

Say exactly how you feel
Right now you’re free to say it all
There is no one here to judge you
I only love you
You’re free to close your eyes and fall
You can trust me, this is real
Say exactly how you feel

Tell me all your dreams
And what you think love means
We’ll lock the world outside
Embrace the gift of time
Promising forever
Knowing that this moment
Might be all we ever find

Every breath of who you are
Tells a story that I love
I have finally found the truth
In what I see in you
And what I feel with every touch
The simple beauty of your heart
In every breath of who you are

Tell me all your dreams
And what you think love means
We’ll lock the world outside
Embrace the gift of time
Promising forever
Knowing that this moment
Might be all we ever find

Tell me all your dreams
And what you think love means
We’ll lock the world outside
Embrace the gift of time
Promising forever
Knowing that this moment
Might be all we ever find

Promising forever
Knowing that this moment
Might be all we ever find