Wedding day for Bill and Amber!

Hi neighbors. I'm so happy and excited I can hardly control myself! My son Bill is getting married today to his long-term girlfriend Amber. They are so happy together and so in love; only marriage can increase their perfection.

When they decided to marry, Bill and Amber went to Texas for Bill to meet her father. He traditionally formally asked Amber's father for her hand in marriage. Amber's mother has been here to visit and has helped Amber select her wedding gown. I am looking forward to seeing her again at the wedding!

They've planned an intimate wedding with family and friends. It will be held outdoors (weather permitting) with the reception to follow immediately after the ceremony.

They have written their own vows and plan an unusual exchange of promises.

Family has been pouring in all week by car and plane, to witness their wedding and celebrate their union.

Although Bill has met Amber's immediate family members, I am eagerly waiting to see my new extended family! While there are words for a spouse's family (in-laws) there is no word to designate people who become families by the union of their children.

What word describes the mother or father-in-law of your children? This is a close bond that will be shared for your child's lifetime. Will I forever introduce them as Amber's mother or Amber's father?

I think there should be a word like sister-by-law or brother-by-law to designate you are related by the marriage of your children. I suppose this has been going on for a few thousand years so other people have figured it out. Probably this word change won't happen so I'll do as everyone else has done and address them by their first names and introduce them as Amber's parents. It's complicated.

Following the reception, the new couple will return some family members to the Kansas City Airport to catch their flights back home. Then they will be off to parts unknown on their honeymoon!

My daughter, her husband and my granddaughter will be here for the wedding. But right afterwards my son-in-law and granddaughter will have to leave to get her back to her father for Father's Day. My daughter will stay for a week, however and we will stay busy waiting for Bill and Amber to return.

It's going to be a busy day, but a wonderful one; made even more wonderful by the presence of representatives of both families in this traditional bonding ceremony and celebration.

This is going to be short this week friends. I hope you can forgive me but I still have a lot to do! Please take a moment today (Saturday) to whisper a little prayer for the new couple and wish them a long and happy marriage.