A life is measured by milestones.  Cairns marking babies’ births and daughters wed.  It’s not the years darlin’, it’s the miles.  Monday’s mile marker flashed the last twenty-seven years before me.  I revisited them during the wedding toast I gave to Eric and Brittany.  You can view them here.

I thought I might experience melancholy and cry.  The emotions that came surprised me. Despite what some might tell you, I don’t think I cried.  We were facing a strong sun during the vows.  I know I wasn’t the only one with the sun in my eyes.  The surprise came from thoughts of my expanded family and the sharing of future life events via Eric and Brittany.  It just seems to me that raising a family, and the continuing familial growth via your children’s union is what life is all about.  It was a feeling that took me back to Brittany’s birth – seven weeks premature.  She was a little four pound peanut.

Born December 6th, she was still in her incubator on December 26th, having spent Christmas with the other little preemies.  The doctors were close to transferring Brittany to Children’s Hospital in Denver, but she proved resilient.  Twenty-seven years later, I enjoyed the pleasure of walking her down the aisle.

And I have an expanded family with the Wright clan whom I expect to spend many more happy events with like our weekend in Estes Park.  Eric’s parents, Doug and Julie, live in Boston.  Julie told me to begin training to run the Boston Marathon with her soon.  Eric’s brother Brad, his wife Priscilla, and their newborn Oliver, are from Dallas.  They all drove down to Austin last Christmas to join us for dinner.

Ellie Rose might mark my next milestone.  She experienced a taste for weddings this past weekend.  I hope my suit still fits when that day comes.

The photos have just begun to come in.  Expect to see many more, courtesy of Hannah Kate at happylandic.com.