My Nephew Andy

This past weekend, my nephew Andy married a lovely young woman named Lori. Andy is my sister Kaye's oldest son and my godson. Occasions like this always remind me of the passing of time (i.e. I'm getting older.)

At the wedding dinner, one of the traditions that I like the least was revised as I've seen done frequently lately. When people wanted the couple to kiss, they were asked to come up and tell a story of Andy or Lori or the couple instead of clanking glasses. Everyone at my table and the next kept asking me when I was going to get up and tell one. The thing is, I couldn't think of any - or at least any embarrassing or funny ones. I just had a blank mind about "Andy stories."

However, today as I was driving to the post office to drop the signed license in the mail, I had a whole slew of them going through my mind. I remembered driving to Kaye's house to take her to the hospital when her water broke. Duane had to milk the cows (can't explain to them that babies are being born when they need to be relieved of their milk.) I could still see the whole scenario playing out, and remembered that long drive to Marshfield. I think I was more nervous than she was. I had flashes of Kaye going through labor as I sat with her until Duane could be there instead. She was worried that Andy would come before Duane, and to be honest, I was kind of hoping that would be the case so I could still be in there to witness the birth. (Sorry Duane!) It was a pretty eye-opening experience for me in my young adulthood though.

Then I found myself remembering Andy's baptism, and holding him over the font. That little baby sure looked very different in my next memory though - Confirmation Sunday as he stood before the congregation in his white robe with the red stole, speaking his own promises and words of faith.

But that was still nothing compared to how this young man looked on Saturday as he stood before another congregation, speaking promises of love and faithfulness to Lori. He is definitely his mother's son, as he got very teary-eyed looking into Lori's also wet eyes. And I had the best seat in the house - a close up view.

From witnessing the labor, to holding him at his baptism, to supporting his steps into adulthood, to now being the one to sign that marriage license I was dropping off today, I have been very blessed to be with Andy through so many milestones of his life. I am very grateful for that, and am so incredibly proud to be his aunt.