Finally Forever!

On May 22nd, 2011, at 6:00pm in Denton, Tx, the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on finally promised me 'forever.' The wedding was a dream come true; two-hundred of our closest friends and family celebrated with us as their love and laughter carried on through the starry night.  I couldn't help but feel maximum joy as my Father's love so graciously fell upon and took hold of my heart.  The night was perfect.  The shorter-than-normal ceremony gave way to an awesome reception where friends of old danced the night away, some better than others I might add!

As the night came to a close, my blushing bride and I were whisked away in an elegant 2000 Volvo S80, the windows of which became a canvas of natural human physiology etched in shoe polish -- thanks groomsmen.  As our chariot drove away, the nerve and excitement that had previously left me a couple hours earlier, had returned.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord had graciously kept Madi and I pure for four years so that we might more fully enjoy our new union together as man and wife.  But the excitement was short-lived, as the reality of my forgetfulness took hold...yes, I can admit dear, it was my fault we had to turn around ten minutes down the road to retrieve the infamous red suitcase I had forgotten in my sporty Corolla, now in the possession of Travis who was somewhere on the road.  But of course, every single person at the wedding still had their phones on silent.  So, we would wait in our dorm's parking lot until the hero of the night would come to our rescue.  Classic Sky...

After the quick detour, we were on our way to our hotel room at the airport; the aroma of love was in the air! (Or was that just the smell of that night's leftovers our wedding planner so graciously snuck in our chariot?) As we approached our palace, I was completely sure I had outdone myself this time (take notes boys): our room was preset with dozens of rose petals, chocolates, and candles, with a nice bottle of Chardonnay on ice and the smooth sound of Sinatra playing softly in the background.  Men's Health, my email is sky.mcclure@unt.edu if you would like the details for your upcoming article "When A Man Loves A Woman"

But never fear, before we could check in, reality was there once again to save the day! Of course, our flight the next morning would be cancelled, and of course we would have to drive overnight on our wedding night to Houston to make it in time for flight number two.  Thus, the one night I had been looking forward to my entire life (well since puberty) would take form in a much different way.  Instead of Chardonnay, Red Bull.  Instead of Al Green, The Village People.

Nevertheless, our Ixtapa, Mexico honeymoon truly was the stuff dreams are made of.  And for that, I am blessed.  Plus, what an incredible story Madison and I will have the rest of our lives.  The Lord worked through us patience of every kind, as we had to depend on Christ on our wedding night to get us there safely, and to be our peace, joy, patience, and above all....love.

So thank you Lord! What an incredible way to start off a life together.  If we can, through Your peace, endure the uneasiness of that night, then truly we can endure and enjoy the rest of what life has to bring!

Even on my wedding night, you were conforming me to Your image.

Truly I am blessed through Christ!