Knitters Greenhouse

We have another upcoming wedding, and the planning is going forward. Three of our four kids will soon be married! People ask me if it is hard. Yes, but it is worth it!

With Karen and Rajeev's wedding (wedding #1 in Jan. 2004) I found that she was overwhelmed with work and making the plans without a lot of time. She had definite ideas and wanted to carry out everything herself. With work, living on her own, writing a new website for her dad, and working with in-laws who had other traditions, she had everything stacked up to make her life crazy. Every time she was stressed I stepped in and asked, "Do you need help?" And then I came out a hero.

Liz's and Ben's wedding (#2 - last November 11) was right at the time when her dad and I were emptying a warehouse and closing the offices of a business. That alone took about two months and I had little time for the final arrangements. Liz had a sick groom for the final month. As much as I wanted to do for her, she had her mind and heart set on making all the details work, and she did a masterful job at getting things accomplished.

Both of those were wonderful events for all of our family, and they were sweet, beautiful weddings.

Now it is time for Sara's long-awaited wedding. She is marrying her high-school sweetheart, Landon. They've dated since they were juniors in H.S., and I think she has wanted to marry him for most of that time. She's whizzed through college in only 3 years, and she's worked part-time in an office on campus, as well as other part-time jobs (Bath and Body Works, summer mowing). They've been engaged the longest of any of my girls (since last spring) and the planning has been more drawn-out. Still, there are decisions about music, decorating, timing of the last few days, showers, and working around everyone's schedule. We always intend it to capture the love that demands all this work, and we hope to have fun doing it.

Now we're in the last 10 weeks so the planning is getting intense. No more time for waiting 'til later, no more putting off of anything! Today we pick up her self-designed invitations, and they will go out very soon. This week we have accomplished a LOT since it was Sara's spring break. She has SIX weeks more until graduation, and time will go fast.

Friends ask if it helps to have done a wedding before, and YES, this does help. None of the weddings are the same, but each of my kids are great to work with, and we've had fun in all the planning. It's a great feeling when you get to the final few days and it is all your own hard work that has come together to have a fun party, gather with family and friends, and join two people who love one another. We look around and say, "We planned this." Ray and I are so happy to have all of our wonderful kids, their loving spouses, and many happy years to come.