Happy Birthday, Mark
Today Mark turns 27 years old. This year his birthday story will take a
somewhat different twist. As I am sure
you all know by now, my little boy was married yesterday. What a beautiful wedding and reception. There was so much love and joy around the
entire weekend it was palpable. Mark’s
wife, my new daughter-in-law, Jennifer, is truly the Yin to his Yang. Jennifer joined her family to ours and I know
that we all will be better for the union.
I sat there in the front pew of the Church and
watched my son walk out from the sacristy to stand at the end of the aisle
awaiting his Jennifer. I looked at him
standing there so proud and excited for this new venture, my heart burst with
pride and joy. There was also a little
part that burst knowing my little boy was gone forever. He’s been gone for some time now of course;
but this time it seemed
different.
Before the bridal procession began, while the guests
were getting settled, I looked at Mark and his best man standing there and
realized they are two men. Men. Mark chose his best friends to be in the
wedding party. His best man is his
cousin, my god-son, Derek. One of the groomsmen is Geoffrey, another cousin and
god-son (we are blessed). I have been
watching these boys play together, fight, have sleep-overs, play video games
and generally be each other’s support system for more than 26 years now. Here is a picture of them cropped out of the
middle of all their other cousins, so it’s a little blurry. You can see by the enthusiastic hugging (Derek
on the left, Mark on the right) and Geoffrey right there cheering things on, that
they have been close their whole lives (this was Easter, 1991, photo bomb
courtesy of Maggie in the front). Below that picture is one of the three of them taken at the wedding rehearsal.
Derek has been married for more than two years now
and has a son. Now Mark is married
too. Geoff will be in the future. Life moves forward whether you’re ready for
it or not. I am ready in my mind. My heart will take a little longer to catch
up. It’s ok to have some nostalgia.
Mark entered this world gently and has been gentle
his whole life. He is a sensitive and
caring person, and always has been. He
is thoughtful of others feelings and will never deliberately hurt anyone
else. One year ago I was writing about
how excited was that by your next birthday you will be married. Today I can say that I am excited to be part
of your extended family as we watch your new family form and GROW. As I said at that time, I have always wanted
11 children. You have helped me move
towards attaining my personal goal by bringing me another daughter
(grandchildren count towards that number).
Now it’s time for me to sit back and watch. I can offer support and advice when asked;
but my role now is one of support. I get
the joy of watching you live your life, begin your own family, buy a house –
all that fun stuff! I am so excited for
you and Jennifer and I love you both with all my heart. I wish you nothing but happiness and love.
Today I wish you the happiest 27th
birthday as you leave on your honeymoon.
I mean, how bad can it be when you’re on your honeymoon with your
beautiful wife in Aruba!! Have a great
time! Remember to call your momma
sometime <3 .="" span="">
xoxo
Love you bunches!
Love, Momma
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