World Peace

I'm a lover of all things hypothetical.

Especially a good plan.  A hypothetical plan that is; one that would probably never come to fruition, but the more you talk about it, the more it becomes somewhat believable and turns into a real notion of action.

So, sometimes I have ADD.  I like to blame my son's lack of focus on his dad (aren't all things perfect from me?) ... however the reality is ... i get bored really easily.

Even a 2 hour flight is just too much for me to handle.  I need to be on the move.

So, on the way to our honeymoon, I spent the entire boring flight coming up with a hypothetical plan that I'm pretty sure made Joseph want to run away marry me all over again.

I decided that I have a plan for world peace.

Yes, world peace.

And i'm pretty sure, i can put this into action.  At least that's what I believed during our flight that day.

Grab a drink, maybe a snack, put your work email away and find some rubber rain boots; it's about to get deep.

So, the Middle East struggles financially in some countries; and after being in constant turmoil with other countries, I can undersatnd why.

..But can't we all get along?

So, I'm going to travel (yes me, because i am of the highest authority and education to do so) over to the Middle East and hold a conference about how to get to the "world peace" spot. 

Many of them may not believe in Jesus, and that's fine... but I'm going to have a little "come to Jesus Allah" talk with them nonetheless.

I think we can promote world peace by increasing historical awareness in the middle east and promoting tourism.

Yes tourism.

Aren't you all itching to go tour the middle east, specifically Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc? 
 
Well, you should be.

I mean, you can visit ancient cities that have biblical connection, see the hole where Saddam was found, take a tour of Osama bin Laden's compound, enjoy the heat without fear of a shark attack in the ocean.

Yes, I just said that.

The opportunities are endless.

All of the palaces and castles or homes or whatever that rich leaders lived in can be converted into hotels.

I know you want to stay at the Hotel D'Hussein.

And seriously, aren't you dying to have your passport stamped "baghdad"?!

admit it.

So, here's where the plan really comes close to home, literally.

Indy has a nice new airport with a customs area downstairs.  We are fully equipped to maximize the title of Indianapolis International Airport.

(Yes, I'm about to 'go there')...

With maximization comes jobs.  I mean, I could hire about 5 people to 'man' the customs counter starting out.  Granted, after my plan takes off, i'd be hiring hundreds of TSA officials to handle the influx of travelers through IND, however for now, this will create some jobs. 

We will offer a direct flight from Indy to Baghdad.

I know you are all extremely excited to hop on this flight to Baghdad.   Doesn't that flight just literally sound "badass".

Kinda like, "oh, i'll be landing in LAX".  I just love the sound of that. 

..now you can say "I should land in Baghdad around 1pm local time".

On the returning flight from Baghdad to Indy, you'll be given a free shirt that simply says "Baghdaddy".

Why?  I don't know, i just think we need a group of people walking around our country wearing shirts that say 'baghdaddy'. 

Maybe not.

So, anyway - how will this promote world peace?

Well, all these anxious travelers will pass through Indy and connect for their flight to Baghdad and be prepared to spend money, sport happy faces the entire time they are touring this area and spend money in the Middle East. 

And because I know my come to allah/Jesus talk will be effective, there will be no more anger/angst/hate toward the US and they will use all of our money from tourism to line the streets with flowers and trees.

Ok, maybe those things won't grow in the desert, but still.

Long story short, this is my plan. 

Although I know you want to steal the plan, you cannot.  You can only join in and help me promote world peace.

...kinda.

Security Detail

When I was younger, I dreamed of a huge wedding with 8 bridesmaids and all the tiny details that would make my special day absolutely perfect.

Fast forward a couple of decades and I found myself wanting something very simple but elegant, personal  but not over-the-top.  Funny how time changes people.  I wanted to be surrounded by our closest friends and family and make the day memorable  but not so crazy that I couldn't remember anything.


I had to make the hard decision early on that we would not have a wedding party.  And honestly, I don't regret that decision.

There's no way I could've chosen between all of my dearest friends, who I would want standing up with me on my big day.  And luckily, everyone understood.  Despite the fact that I didn't have an official wedding party, the 80's Ladies most certainly jumped in and made my day so special, that I am beyond the resources to adequately thank them.

The night before the wedding, several of the ladies came to rehearsal and helped me decorate and get everything in order.  After we left the country club, we headed to eat at Olive Garden and then to Kohls because Allison and Lindsey decided that, since they had been given the extremely important job of opening the doors for the bride... they should coordinate and wear black dresses.

Thank Goodness for the small details.

So, we walked around kohls with Bekah, like the role models she doesn't need in her life at 32 years old acting like teenagers...

Lindsey and Allison obtained matching black dresses and we were on our way to my house for our sleep over.

The next morning, we ate breakfast and arrived to the country club at about 9:30 am to begin the festivities.   Lindsey, Allison and my wife knew that I was NOT wanting anyone to see me prior to the wedding, so they quickly became my "security detail". 

...and what a marvelous job they did :)

Jenny came with lunch sandwiches and her daughter to play with Bekah while we all got ready, which was so nice. 

As the day quickly progressed, I got dressed, took some pictures and got ready to walk down the aisle and make it official!

We laughed throughout the day that, "Security Detail" will be the new 'bridesmaids" at weddings because honestly, it's awesome and a lot less stress for the entire wedding party. 

Well, at least I think so.

Many times throughout the morning and early afternoon, in the locker room of the country club, I looked around, overwhelmed by the amount of support my friends were showing me.   My goodness, what did I do to deserve such great people?

There was a time in my life when my high school friends were off doing their own thing, finishing school, moving on with their lives, while I was busy being a mother.  At some point, we all reconnected and I am BEYOND thankful that they were all there for my wedding day.  Had I gotten married years earlier, the experience I shared with these dear ladies would've have happened, and so, for all the years i waited impatiently... I am humbled.  And honored to have had the opportunity to share my day with the 80's Ladies.


*****
 
I heard Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me"  from the kitchen, where I was waiting for my queue to enter the holding room.  I knew our Mothers were on their way down the aisle when that began to play. 

Shortly after, Canon in D started to play, and our children, one by one, walked to their seats in the front row of the room.

The doors shut behind Bekah and there I stood....
...on the other side of a set of mirrored glass doors, staring at a woman with curled brown hair, a cream dress, diamond headband and veil.

It was the day she'd dreamed of since she was a little girl.  The day that, for many years she thought would never come.

... the music began to escalate tempo, the high point of the song came...

... the doors opened ...

and there at the end of the aisle, stood my 'dream come true'.

Everything I'd ever wanted my entire life was for someone to love me forever; and there he was. 

My world stopped spinning. 

Or maybe it was spinning faster.

All I know is that, in that moment, it was he and I ... until the end of time.


...and finally, my prayers were answered.