the Shepards

Growing up, my brother was definitely my best friend. We spent many a day wandering around the woods behind our house, collecting finds from the old 1950's glass dump that was on our land. We rode our bikes up and down the same stretch of driveway over and over and over again. When our cousins came over to play Chris was Peter Pan and all the girls fought over who would be Wendy. I would inevitably win (though I did not realize the love connection Peter Pan and Wendy seemed to have, until much later, and then stopped pushing to be Wendy).
We watched the same movies over and over together - Home Alone and Wayne's World, were our favorites. Chris and I also fought.....he would get on the other house phone every time I talked to my friends and would laugh at everything we said. We tackled each other to the ground...or rather I would tackle him to the ground to defend my privacy rights....that is until he outgrew me. We played each other in Super Mario World on Gameboy, blaming each other for our losses - "you were breathing too hard!"
I drove Chris to school everyday, and was sad the day I went to college and wouldn't get to spend all that time with him. He called me as my family started decorating the Christmas tree, the first Christmas I ever missed the decorating of the tree.
Last weekend, Aaron and I went home to watch my brother get married to a girl I remember hearing about when he was in high school and I was in college. They went to junior prom together, and years later would reconnect and fall in love.

I am really excited for Chris and Maria as they start their married life together. I am happy for Chris that he found a wife like Maria, a real sweetie who fits so easily in our family. I am also happy for Maria that she has Chris. Chris, who is competitive, imaginative, sensitive (despite outward appearances or ever admitting it), and who is sure to make her laugh. I know it won't always be smooth. There is sure to be conflict, as in all relationships, but seeking God and learning to compromise, I am sure they will grow together.
Welcome to the family, Maria!