Fasten your seatbelts...

My little brother is getting hitched.

People generally give the same reaction to the news of an upcoming wedding. "Wow! Great! Congratulations!" With big smiles and lots of enthusiasm. I'd say this is for one of three reasons:

One. They're newlyweds themselves and being married is like, so totally awesome and stuff and they just want to share the love! And aww, isn't that sweet?

Two. Behind that enthusiasm is evil laughter because they've been married for a while now and holy crap, this is hard. And they really want to see that lovey kissey couple with wide eyes in a few years saying crap! Those people were for real! This is hard! Because there is some kind of validation in seeing people you respect being challenged by the same things you are.

Three. That is genuine, wise, tested and true enthusiasm for the dear couple because they've been married for a LOOOONG time. Long enough to experience the hard, overcome it (really, I'm just musing here. Is that even possible?) and have learned what marital love truly is. Respect, unselfishness, unselfishness, unselfishness, unselfishness, tenderness and a good sense of humor. And it has brought them insane amounts of heart pounding, eyes welling with tears, soul warming JOY.

Tanner & Sarah, congratulations. I'm thrilled for the both of you. (cue evil laughter....)

;)