To all our friends and family,
While this may seem anticlimactic, Steve and I finally wed on July 7, 2007 at 5:30 in the evening. After three and a half years together, we didn't want any excessive pageantry, or the guilt of whittling through a guest list and excluding anyone who is special to us. Even though we planned to marry sometime this year, this was a spur of the moment decision made during late night pillow talk. I spent less than a week putting things together.
We were joined by our children, Drew, Alex, Mario and Annelise. Steve's mother, Madeline, and brother Chris also looked on. Mark Bellows, pastor of Hope Community Church and a friend of mine, performed the ceremony.
For those of you who didn't know, Steve and I met on the Internet, and our first meeting was a blind date. Steve had made up his mind that we were meant to be upon conclusion of that initial date; I needed another before I was convinced.
From the beginning, Steve has not only accepted my children, but loved them as if they were his own. For that alone he has my undying devotion. Not only did Steve embrace my litter, but so did Drew, which I think is miraculous, given that he was 13 at the time, and there were three of them to potentially annoy him and disrupt his life. My kids took immediately to their "big brother" and there's never been any friction between them. Since my trio doesn't have any grandparents within 850 miles, Madeline has filled that role admirably from the first day she met them. Chris has done a great job as the "cool and fun" uncle.
I find it difficult avoiding cloying sentimentality when trying to describe what Steve means to me. The years following my divorce were rife with sadness, loneliness and an absolute deficit of anything resembling self esteem. Once I met Steve, he brought joy into my life again, he needed me as much as I needed him, he helped nurture my soul and showed me all that I had to offer. I discovered the person I always wanted to be, buried deep beneath the debris of my battered heart. The person I was four years ago is virtually unrecognizable to me today.
I don't think I understood the true meaning of love until I met Steve. He's the hardest working man I have ever known, he's brilliant and talented and yet humble and unassuming. He has shown me what unconditional devotion is, he always has my back and he has given me the family centered life that I always wanted. I think one of his biggest accomplishments though, was managing to stop me from taking myself so damn seriously all the time. He's halved my wrinkle potential by pointing out my tendency to furrow my brow in irritation and to get me to just lighten up already.
I'll post pictures and details later this evening, but here's a few to tide you over.
And introducing Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harrison and family! This picture was taken shortly after the minister started to introduce us as "Steamy Harrison"...a Freudian slip if ever there was one. The temperature nearly reached 100 today and Steve was absolutely drenched. It also led to some trouble later...
