Today my kids and I (Brett) returned from beautiful Columbus, Ohio, where I officiated the wedding of Mary Allison Timby and Greg Comfort over Labor Day Weekend. My family had such a good time up there. Besides nice parties and such, it just happened to be my first trip ever to Ohio in my life. I was very impressed, particularly with Columbus--a charming town with warm people and a nice downtown area. We also were given great seats to an Ohio State football game--right on the fifty-yard line! Wow, what an event that was. It happened to be Alumni Band day and the bands were phenomenal. For that game, my son and I made sure that we left our Vince Young t-shirts at home. We didn't want to offend anyone. I know that 2005 game with Texas is still fresh in a lot of folks' minds.
On Sunday, late afternoon, the ceremony took place in Greg's parents' plush backyard with about 200 guests. The setting was gorgeous with beautiful flowers everywhere and the weather could not have been more perfect for this time of year. It was a very touching ceremony with Greg's grandfather reading scripture from the "love chapter" of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. All in all, it was a very romantic beginning to what we are praying will be a lifelong marriage of happiness.
I am confident that they will be happy. Greg and Mary Allison have known each other for about five years. What is amazing about their relationship is how often they have been separated from each other during their dating years. At various times, each of them have been parked in various parts of the world for different projects and for parts of their education. In spite of all of those months of separation, it's obvious that they always made their relationship a priority--even when they were apart. Now that they are together permanently, I know they will grow even closer.
I had so much fun meeting friends of Greg (who I didn't know previously) and getting reunited with so many of Mary Allison's friends (many of whom are my close friends, too). Getting to connect and reconnect with family and friends is one of the greatest aspects of a wedding weekend. I'm so grateful to both families for rolling out the red carpet for this Texan minister.
All of it just reminded me what a privilege it is to be able to participate in a small way in a wedding. It's humbling to be able to encourage young couples (and some older couples) as they launch into a permanent relationship together. I never grow tired of the experience. Officiating weddings would be a satisfying hobby if it didn't happen to be part of my vocation!
Extra thanks to my two teenage kids who made the trek across the country with Dad this time. Their presence made the weekend an even more special experience. They're both pretty good sports and a blast to be with. We laughed a lot.
Three more weddings coming up this month--the next one should also be a lovely one in Chappell Hill, Texas! Salute!
Happy Labor Day to all!
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