Parenting goes on, but different

February 8, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller

Richard is sweeping the floors. Leslie and Melissa are winging their way here to decorate the house. Today I make several fruit pizzas (to die for, see the recipe below). Tomorrow night my home will be filled with friends of Ryan and Kristin as we hold their first wedding shower, a couple’s shower.Our Oklahoma weather has decided to cooperate, and we’ll host a “make your own pizza” party in the kitchen and on the deck with lights and candles.

The one thing I hoped for my children, besides a life of vibrant faith, was to meet and love someone and to have a strong, loving, fun marriage.

Josh and Melissa have it. Leslie and Stephen do as well. Now I get to watch Ryan and Kristin start their life together. She’s blond and fun and laid-back, and she loves Ryan. She has a southern drawl, “Suhweetheart”, she says to my son. She’s affectionate. She’s smart. I love her like a daughter already.

Ryan is into the wedding as much as she is, maybe more. He’s ready to start his life, especially to say goodbye to five years of living with a host of roommates and to settle down with Kristin. He’s tired of guys who eat his food, dogs who chew the deck, and guys who set the carpet and couch on fire by throwing gas in the fireplace (a true story). (more…)