Happy Anniversary, Kids!

I can't believe I just did a post about Santa earlier this morning, when today is such an important day in the history of our family: two years ago today, our oldest son got married! Two years ago today, we were witnesses to the joining of two wonderful young people in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

It was the most beautiful and holy Catholic wedding Mass imaginable, and it took place at our daughter-in-law's parish church, the same one in which her parents had gotten married years before.

The reception that followed the wedding Mass was one of the most joyful, music- and dance-filled, and at the same time elegant--due to the sumputous surroundings of the historical building near our daughter-in-law's hometown in which it took place--celebrations I have ever had the privilege to be a part of (and I don't just say that because I'm biased! It really was the most magical and fun-filled reception!).

These two kids deserve every bit of happiness, because in the two years that they've been married, they haven't had it easy. Ten months after that fairytale wedding, our son was shipped over to Afghanistan for a year-long deployment in the Army, and shortly after arriving at his post there, he called to tell us that his wife was pregnant...with twins. Our daughter-in-law moved back home with her folks and went through the entire pregnancy and then the delivery of two healthy identical twin girls, all without a husband by her side. Our son was home briefly for two weeks when the twins were a month old, and then had to go back overseas. He finally returned home for good when the babies were four months old. What these two young people have been through already in their young marriage might break individuals made of lesser stuff; but they are strong, they are faith-filled, and they have such a positive outlook.

And God has certainly seen fit to bless them--because their daughters are healthy and thriving, and they're the most beautiful babies you've ever laid eyes on (again, I'm not biased at all).

Happy Anniversay, kids! We love you so much and are so proud of you both.