7 Years

7 years ago today I woke up in Wexford, Ireland.

I was up way too early - even before the innkeepers at the little bed and breakfast my brother Jamison and I were staying at. I remember when they did wake up they went to kitchen and turned on the radio, and REM was in heavy play that morning. I thought that bode well for the day - the day I was going to marry the Wexford Girl.

Jamison and I had coffee to shake off the bachelor activities the night before, and headed into Wexford Town to pick up the flowers for the church service. While doing so, I ran into Annie as she was getting her hair done at a nearby shop. Superstition be damned - we ran to each other with huge smiles and embraced the day that lay in front of us. It was a quick street scene, and Annie hurried back into the hair salon and Jamison and I put the flowers in the car and drove to Crooke Church.

It was sunny break in a month of rainy days, which brought great joy. After delivering the flowers to the church, J and I headed to Waterford Castle, where we were having the reception and party after the wedding. The place looked grand - and after a short while Annie was there too, with her sister and niece and Mom, and my Mom was there, too, helping Annie with the dress she made for her. I ordered a bottle of champagne for the girls while they got ready, and Jamison and I were joined by Jeffrey, another of my brothers, and Jeff made sure I had a good knot in my tie. We had some champagne, too. It was a happy day.

Jamison - who was my best man - and I headed back to the church, and waited inside while our guests started to arrive. The tiny church was full of family and friends, and I had a smile that could not be diminished. There was a fiddle player up in the balcony playing a lovely Irish song, and shortly after he began I watched a stunning Annie Galvin walking down the aisle with her father by her side. In a few minutes we would be married, and really beginning our life together. It's the best thing I have ever done, and I am looking forward to where this amazing journey continues to take us.

So raise a glass, drink a toast, and sing along to this little ditty: