I Never Thought We'd Have More Children!

Well, I just never considered it, never looked at it that way. But, as of tomorrow, Mary and I are adding 5 children to our family. And 2 parents.

Natalie (also known as Nat, Shmatalie, Nary, Scratalie, Scratter Brains, and the like) is marrying Justin Dye. And if I remember correctly from 22 years ago when Mary and I were married, two family are coming together. Bob and Meredith Dye along with their 5 children - Justin, Jeremy, Colin, Caeleigh, and Maggie are joining our family - and we theirs. Very cool.

I know the traditional story of the father of the bride feeling as though he's losing his daughter, but really the joy of adding a son-in-law has challenged all those feelings and won. And for 2 main reasons. First, Justin is a wonderful young man. He has great character; he's been raised by 2 very godly parents; he has a wonderful family that will make great in laws rather than outlaws. Secondly, Natalie loves Justin very much (under statement). Their love for each other is definitely grace-based, which I'm sure will make a great foundation for their relationship and future family. And, it's not a faceless, loose understanding of grace, but a clear knowledge of the Living God in the face of Jesus Christ.

So, waking up this morning a little too early, I thought, "Oh, to blog again." And in the spirit of last night's rehearsal dinner toasts - my favorite was Maggie's, 6 yrs. old, "To Justin and Natalie, by favorite persons in the whole world" - I leave you with this...

To Justin and Natalie! And the whole Dye family!