Final Countdown

Well, after nearly a year of talking about it and thinking it was so far away, Sarah and I are now ten days away from getting married. Today we went to the county government complex to get our marriage license. That was an interesting trip.

When we got to the Clerk's Office, there was what looked like a line of people waiting. I looked in the office, and a couple was just coming out. The people in the hall that I thought was a line was actually the family of the couple. Apparently they had just gotten married. Now I've heard of people getting married by a Justice of the Peace, but it was strange to see that someone had just done it. In fact, adjoining the dinky, worn-out office was a chapel that was decorated in they typical white netting. Add that to the fact that Sarah and I overheard them talking about going to the Cracker Barrel to celebrate made us smile. Not your typical wedding plans, but when two people are in love, it's hard to keep them down.

The next interesting event was that the one clerk in the office was an amazing multi-tasker. In addition to handling our license, she was getting certified copies for another couple that had just gotten married as well as answered the phone for several other people wanting to know about getting a license.

Finally, though, we had all the paperwork filled out and received our license. The clerk then had us raise our right hands and swear that we were doing this of sound mind and body. One of the questions asked us if we were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Technically you are supposed to respond "yes" or "no." My response? "Just love." Sarah, the clerk, and another worker who was in the office all cracked up. I figured the workers would have heard that line before. Isn't that why everyone gets married?

Tomorrow is our meeting with Sister Joanne, who will help us set the ceremony. Sarah and I have selected the readings and prayers for the service, and we'll be talking about it with Sister Joanne tomorrow. More on that when we return!