It was thirty-three years ago today . . .

It was warm that day.

But the shade in the backyard was more than enough to give us a break from the sun.

I was glad for the shade. I was wearing a leather jacket and a tie. Julie was wearing a black flowered skirt and a red bolero jacket and holding flowers.

Her brother Willie (Will’s a minister) stood near me, as did Anna, Willie’s wife as my Best Man.

We were taking the vows at last.

Julie walked from their back door out onto the patio, and I’d never seen a bride so beautiful. She joined me, and Willie began the ceremony.

And ten minutes later we were married. It was the most important ten minutes of my life because things changed forever.

I’ve a lot to be thankful to God for. But my lovely bride now of thirty-three years is at the top of the list.