30 days and counting....

No matter what, Dad was always there with solid words of advice . . . "Go ask your mother."- Alan Ray


Ok....so in exactly one month, I will do what I NEVER thought I would do after I turned 18.....move back in with my parents. Now...let's get the story straight...this is only a 3 month stint and it is really for the purity of my future marriage to Josh in August. Well....and also because my father said if I ever lived with anyone before I was married....he would not come to the wedding. Now I don't know if he would really do that...but I thought I would not risk walking down the aisle by myself! Ha!

In all seriousness, moving in with my parents really made the most sense since my current lease ends on May 31st and Josh and I really do want to wait until we are married before we live together. I guess this will be a great way to save money, get used to the commuting concept (ugh) and relish some time with two of the most important people in my life. After all...how bad could it possibly be?

My sister Lynn spent a couple months before her wedding two years ago and she said she really had a fun time with my parents. She said it definitely was different being back since she was used to coming and going on her own (kind of like coming home from college that first summer) and it was also unique to see how Mom and Dad had adopted to life "post children". So in a way...I am kind of excited about spending some time with them myself.

I am looking forward to having dinner every night with Mom and Dad...although I am not sure if Mom really cooks anymore. I am also excited about watching evening shows with them as well....but then again they do watch TV in separate rooms every night. Oh but wait...we could go to the movies every once in awhile too....but now I just remembered they go early to catch the senior citizen discount rate...and I would not qualify for that (too young! ha!). So maybe it won't be as glamorous as I anticipate it to be.

Perhaps in the end it will be an opportunity to plan the final details of my wedding from home base and catch up on some quality conversations with Mom and Dad. Of course I have to keep the mushy conversations to Mom...Dad does not like to deal with those. However..if I have a Bridezilla moment..he will have to deal with it too!

All in all I think it is funny that after 15 years of being on my own....I am coming home to where it all started and with the two people who gave me this great life. In a way it's a proper send off to the next great phase of my life!

JAR

A Birthday Year to Remember

"Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them."- Anonymous

Today back in 1976....a little fellow by the name of Joshua Emory came barreling in to this world. Although two weeks late...he proceeded to make his entry to the "real world" with a bang. 34 years later he is still making his presence known by all of the wonderful deeds he does for others.

Of course I am grateful that I am privileged to marry this sweet man....but I am even more humbled by all of the great characteristics he has that so often he shares with others. Josh is the guy that no matter what time of the day it is or where he is at in his own world.....if you ask for help he will literally stop what he is doing to come to your aid. Now...perhaps I am a little bias because I am his fiance', but I do speak with authority that I have seen his deeds in action many times with friends, family and co-workers. Occasionally a total stranger gets the benefit of his generosity as well. I think Josh is one of those rare people (similar to my brother Joe) that just enjoys doing for others and simply wants nothing in return. His reward is seeing others happy and that is trait I truly, truly admire.

So....on this great day in April...I wish the most giving and loving man I know...the best birthday ever. I look forward to many more birthdays together!

JAR