Saturday, August 1, 2009

Going to the Chapel of Love

My little brother is getting married today. He is 9 years younger than me and he has always seemed like the baby.
I remember how we shared my room while he was still in his crib and I would wake up to the squeaky sound of the springs because he was jumping up and down, eager for me to wake up and look at him.
I remember how one time when he was a newborn he was so fussy, which was rare, and I was the only one who could calm him and rock him to sleep.
I remember how when we would drive in the car, I would reach over his carseat and run my fingers over his soft face so that he would fall asleep faster. He loved that and always requested it, even as he got older.
I remember that I taught him the sign for "apple" and he would always come to me as a one year old and twist his fist in his cheek and say "app-a joo!" for apple juice.
I remember volunteering in his kindergarten class once a week, as if I were the mom, and knowing all of his little friends and his teacher so well.
I remember that he had the fullest head of hair of any little boy you have ever met and when my future husband hung out with him he gave him the name "Hairs."
I remember that after that name stuck, he would randomly come up with silly jokes and the answer to the joke was always "HAIR!!!" and he would laugh hysterically at himself, which in turn made us all laugh hysterically.

There are so many memories of Johnny Wonny and on this day I am thinking of them all. How could he be a man now, ready to begin a family of his own? How is he old enough to love a woman and dedicate his entire life to her? In many ways, Johnny was my first experience at mothering, even when I was still a child, so I am feeling the pain of one who helped raise the little guy. I can't imagine how my mom will feel today watching her youngest born walk down that aisle. All I know is that he is loved immensely and I am so thankful for all of the memories I have of our times together. I am excited to make new ones with his new wife, Courtney, and I am reminded once again to embrace my time with my own kiddos right now...

One day I will be blogging about their wedding day.

3 comments:

*emmy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
*emmy said...

Tear drop
Tear drop
sniff
sniff

This blog totally made me cry. Johnny was 6 years old when I met the family I would fall in love with and forever be a part of my life and become my family: the Halls.

I remember coming to your house and hanging out in the living room. Johnny was the cutest little boy ever and always walk around with a smile. I remember a rocking horse that he would sit on and when I would smile at him he always smile shyly back at me. He did have a lot of hair and it bounced when he walked.

.......and then there are all those memories of us = ) .

See you at the wedding of the youngest Hall, our Johnny wonny ; ) .

Thany said...

I want more about the wedding. Pictures, stories, the whole thing!