Today in the history of this Strawn family is somewhat significant. Being Holy Week, it works out to be almost exactly the same time frame, even. Let me explain.

Today is McKenzie's 11th Birthday, and she was born on Maundy Thursday, which means that 11 years ago tomorrow (then Good Friday, which will be Maundy Thursday this year), because my sister Meegan was still in the hospital post delivery, my brother Chad was babysitting my nephew Zachary, who had just become a big brother. Because of this, and the fact that Chad couldn't get Zak to take his medicine, I was summoned over to his house to help in this endeavor, since I'd done it before. My friend Becky was with me, because we had tentative plans of going out for a coke with her then-fiancee and his old college room mate, who had come home for the Easter weekend.

We arrived at Chad's just in time for the wrestling match of Zachary and Uncle Chad, when there was a knock at the door. When Marie (my sister-in-law) opened the door, in swept a tall, brown haired slender looking man in a long leather duster, trying out the cowboy look. Next to him was our dear friend, Jonathan, with his signature ear-to-ear devious looking grin.

Now, Jonathan and I go way back. Well, at least to the 9th grade, when he moved to my town. Becky and I go even farther, and the three of them had all schemed to get me out on a blind double date after church, which I didn't attend because of a funeral viewing. Jon & Becky knew I wasn't into set ups, or dating, for that matter, which is why they had to be sneaky and deliberate.

And it worked, if only for 20 minutes. We had that 1 coke at Bryan's restaurant in downtown Lapeer 11 years ago, and said good-bye with no strings attached. Two days shy of two years later, that tall drink of water and I were exchanging wedding vows in St. Louis, Missouri, four days before the anticipated Call Day at Seminary. Now, we have a dog, 3 children, and a whole lifetime of memories already.

So, I realize I'm a day late for posting an anniversary message, but life calls.....here's to our 9 years of wedded....um...bliss? chaos? enchantment? commitment. Now, don't get yourself killed on the racetrack this summer.