Mrs. Steven T. Davidson

10:30 a.m.
August 20, 1977
Chapel of Memories
Mississippi State University
Starkville, Mississippi

This was the day that I finally got a middle name and a third initial for my monogram, became a wife, and started a new chapter in my life. I was all of nineteen years old, and I got married to the man God had designed just for me.



As I look at this couple walking out to a totally unknown future, I wonder what I would tell them 31 years later. Would I dare tell them of the difficult times ahead? Would I tell them what to avoid? What I tell them how to live their lives so they would achieve that "happily ever after?"

The answer is no, because they wouldn't listen. All they care about is each other and their life together ahead. They have no concept of marriage or family or real life. All they know is that they love each other and want to spend every moment of the rest of their lives together.

That's the way it should be, because that is the only way to start a marriage. It has to start with just the two of you, oblivious to that unknown future because you know you can tackle anything together. You have to start knowing that God meant for you to be together, because some days that may be the only thing that keeps you going. You have to start from love and conviction and hope, because those are the things that bind you together. You have to start somewhere, and so you start with the two of you.

Thirty-one years ago I married God's choice for my life. That's over 11,315 days of highs and lows, ups and downs, sickness and health, some money and no money, four houses in three states, three kids, countless cats, baseball and soccer games, new cars and junkers, and all those things that make life so interesting. I wouldn't trade any of them because they're all a part of my life and my marriage, which was started by God and continues to be blessed by Him.

Thanks Steve, for 31 - I love you!

Enchanted

My current movie of choice to watch every time it's on cable is Enchanted. It has everything going for it - Disney, princess, romance, cartoon, comedy, music, and happily ever after. I have been researching to find trivia bits - apparently the director and writers included a ton of references to Disney and Disney movies. Now it's even more fun to watch and find all these little bits of whimsy.

Sometimes it's good to escape to a movie like this. A movie where violence is minimized, kindness and happiness are maximized, and everyone finds true love. Where better to stage such a wonderful story but New York City. Definitely my kind of movie!

It's Monday

Today is Bad Poetry Day. I would write a poem, but today my brain isn't working even on that level. So instead, I leave you with the keys to writing your own bad poetry. Good luck!

My Olympic Sport

I've watched swimming, diving, gymnastics, women's marathon, men's sprinting, softball, volleyball, tennis, and rowing - at least parts of them. After my viewing snips, I decided to ask myself - "What would I choose for my competition sport of choice?"

And the answer is - sprinting. It's over in about 10 seconds. I can't manage to do anything in 10 seconds, much less run 100 meters, so it's pretty impressive to see people who can. It's one of the reasons I like watching the Olympics - seeing that which seems so impossible for me become reality for the athletes who accomplish it. Amazing!

Elvis and Me

I was never a huge Elvis fan. When I was a little girl, my family drove to Memphis and because Elvis wasn't in town, we were allowed to drive up to his front door (this was the early 60's, people). I never watched him on Ed Sullivan or really listened to his music. My only favorite Elvis songs are "In The Ghetto," and "Kentucky Rain."

However, thirty-one years ago today, Elvis died. I was a college graduate and working as a data processor (if you don't know what that is, it's now an obsolete job) in an office at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, only a few hours from Memphis. The office was mostly filled with women who had a high school education and were happy to be "working at the college." Once the news of the King's death hit, all work stopped. In between sobbing jags, these women were trying to figure out how to get to Graceland. All I could think was, "How does this affect my wedding?"

I was getting married four days later. Was the earth going to stop spinning because Elvis had passed? Should I rethink my music to include some "Hunka Hunka Burning Love?" Should I postpone the wedding due to the probable week of national (at least in the south) mourning?

As it turned out, I didn't have to make any changes to the wedding and got married on time. The ladies made it to Memphis and paid their respects. Elvis got buried in his backyard. Guess we all did it "our way."