The first thing I thought of was not our wedding song, but OUR wedding song.  Makes sense, right?

To clarify, when Archie and I got married, Brandon was three years old.  Our first date he didn’t ask ME out…he asked out Brandon and I both.  We went to Pizza King so Brandon could see the train going around carrying drinks, and play video games.

It impressed my father.

It impressed me.

When it came down to planning the wedding we had the Father/Daughter dance picked.  We had our first dance picked. But there was something missing.  Something important.

That little guy had been a part of our beginning.  Our middle, and he had to be a part of this too. We had to make sure of it.

My Dad came up with the perfect song.  The one that meant a lot…fit just right.

He Didn’t Have to Be by Brad Paisley

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she’d ever meet someone
Who wouldn’t find out about me and then turn around and run

And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something’s missing
To a family
Lookin’ back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I’m at least half the dad
That he didn’t have to be

The words say it all.  Brandon wasn’t five – but he helped Archie pop the question.  He was at the wedding, holding our hands, and we all danced together as a family at the reception.  Moments after that kiss in the picture Brandon called Archie ‘Dad’ for the first time.  It took a few months of adjustment, but soon he was calling him Dad all the time.

Archie didn’t have to ask out the single Mom.  He didn’t have to ask out her little kid.  But he did.

And we’ll forever be glad that he did.

 

He was the first to ask US on a date.  He included my beautiful three year old on our first date.  He thought of us before he thought of me.  He took us to an appropriate kid-friendly place.  He talked to Brandon, he made Brandon laugh.  And when dinner was over, Brandon looked at Archie and said, “Are you coming home to see Mimi and Papa?”  The deal was sealed…he was special.

I held back, afraid to give up my heart.  I couldn’t tell him I loved him…I was terrified of my past repeating itself.  But once I was able to make that step, everything fell into place.  Engaged and a wedding date planned before we’d hit the six month point.  A fall wedding, as I’d dreamed.

There wasn’t a doubt…WE would be married.  Not just Archie, and I…but Brandon, too.  He asked Brandon permission to marry me, and he had Brandon give me the ring – sending my mother into a fit of tears.  The ceremony would involve Brandon, and we’d be announced as a family.

 

And so we were.  Our small family embarking on new territory.  Making a path none of us was too sure how to follow.   But we trudged ahead and forged it together.

The first year was tough as I pursued roles in Community Theatre as well as marriage and mommy-hood.  But from there, community theatre was put on hold to focus on family.

We’ve had our struggles…financially, and emotionally.  But we’re now at six years and stronger than ever. 

He’s the one that’s supported me, no matter what my dream or desire.  He believes in me when I’m not so sure I believe in myself.  He tells me daily that I’m beautiful, or a good wife, or both.  He is proud of me as his wife, and as a mother. 

So Archie, thank you for six years of wedded bliss (and miss)…our struggles made us stronger…and your love makes me better.

 

He was the first to ask US on a date.  He included my beautiful three year old on our first date.  He thought of us before he thought of me.  He took us to an appropriate kid-friendly place.  He talked to Brandon, he made Brandon laugh.  And when dinner was over, Brandon looked at Archie and said, “Are you coming home to see Mimi and Papa?”  The deal was sealed…he was special.

I held back, afraid to give up my heart.  I couldn’t tell him I loved him…I was terrified of my past repeating itself.  But once I was able to make that step, everything fell into place.  Engaged and a wedding date planned before we’d hit the six month point.  A fall wedding, as I’d dreamed.

There wasn’t a doubt…WE would be married.  Not just Archie, and I…but Brandon, too.  He asked Brandon permission to marry me, and he had Brandon give me the ring – sending my mother into a fit of tears.  The ceremony would involve Brandon, and we’d be announced as a family.

 

And so we were.  Our small family embarking on new territory.  Making a path none of us was too sure how to follow.   But we trudged ahead and forged it together.

The first year was tough as I pursued roles in Community Theatre as well as marriage and mommy-hood.  But from there, community theatre was put on hold to focus on family.

We’ve had our struggles…financially, and emotionally.  But we’re now at six years and stronger than ever. 

He’s the one that’s supported me, no matter what my dream or desire.  He believes in me when I’m not so sure I believe in myself.  He tells me daily that I’m beautiful, or a good wife, or both.  He is proud of me as his wife, and as a mother. 

So Archie, thank you for six years of wedded bliss (and miss)…our struggles made us stronger…and your love makes me better.

~ That having truncal hypotonia and a daredevil are a VERY bad combination?

~ The the above mentioned combination can lead to a face plant from the height of the back of a couch resulting in an unexpected $60 trip to the dentist for X-rays?

~ That a fasting glucose level of 160 is BAD?

~ That such a fasting glucose level can cause grown men to be diagnosed with diabetes?

~ That being diagnosed with high cholesterol AND diabetes in the same week can lead to an ultra-restrictive and ultra SUCKY diet?

~ That mastering such a diet is TOUGH? 

~ And have I mentioned that it SUCKS?

~ That I have soooo many things that occurred during blog closing/deletion that I can’t seem to compose one REAL post out of the mess?

~ That this is a thinly disguised bullet list?

~ That Riley has become an abusive big sister that likes to hit her sister on regular occassions?

~ That Brandon has started going to Wednesday night bible school…with the neighbors…NOT us…and that I (as a non-christian) am not sure how to feel about that?

~ That I feel hypocritical for saying that because I believe that my children should be able to make their own choices in life and religion?

~ That sometimes not even the internet can help you locate an old friend?

~ That I am TOTALLY obsessed with True Blood (and the Sookie Stackhouse book series)?!

~ That I was SO obsessed with it, that I switched to DirecTV because it was the cheapest way to get HBO?

~ That I was SOOO obsessed with the books that I got Archie reading them?

~ That having a book discussion with a spouse of the opposite sex (which mine happens to be) brings about points (and viewpoints) that you seriously never considered, and might not understand?

~ That I could go on for another fifty points, but I don’t want to annoy you so soon back into re-posting?