A New Path

In less than one week, I will be standing at the end of a (rather long) line of girls, watching.

For the fourth time, I will be watching at the front of a church as a dearly beloved friend of mine says her vows to the man who has won her heart.

Each time, it has been a girl I love, to a man I appreciate, at least for the reason that he has made her happy.

But this time it's different.

Although last time, it was my sister to a man who is as good as a brother, this time the man who will be exchanging vows with my friend is my brother.

The boy who has been my playmate and friend since before I can remember.

The boy who has shared sleeping quarters with me, with whom I have disagreed and fought, who has chopped wood and helped clean, who has made me food and driven me places.

The hardworking boy who has finally given in to tired eyes after many hours late at night, talking with me and my sister. This boy who has been my introduction to the masculine world.

He has organized bonfires and caroling, rides to concerts and contradancing, birthday parties and times at the park. His friends have become mine, and often mine his. Aside from my father, perhaps no one has influenced my view of men more than he has.

"Your brother is so nice," I have been told. "I wish mine was like yours."

One day off work, the phone rings, and I pick it up. "Hello."

"Yo, yo, yo, yo!" a peppy voice calls.

"Hello," I smile.

"Why don't you return my yo's?" the voice questions. "I was just calling to see if you worked today and needed picked up. I was working by the mall and I'm done now. I take it you don't, since you seem to be home."

That's my brother for you.

Although we have had stages of disagreement (should the orphans we played get captured or have a war was always a big one), I have always enjoyed him. The older I have grown, the more I appreciate him. The more I realize how blessed I have been to have Eric Paul, Handsome Boy Beerbower as my brother.

Especially as I think about life without him in the house. Without his feet pounding and his voice war whooping up the stairs, or hearing, "If anyone's going with me, I'm leaving right now," every Sunday morning, or seeing his dusty white form dash upstairs to shower.

I'll miss it.

And it's a good thing there's a worthwhile reason.

Because when I stand up there, it won't be behind him, though he has my support.

I will be standing behind my friend...

who just happens to also be that day becoming my sister.

My first sister-in-law. The best reason and only thing I can think of that makes me actually very happy about my brother leaving.

The happy, beautiful girl who has captured my brother's heart.

Who has made him happy and excited... 

which admittedly isn't difficult to do, 

but she has done it in a way nothing else has.

It's been amusing to watch.

Then, after this, we'll be done with weddings for a while, and life will not be so exciting.

 It will be the beginning of a new era in our family.

 

The beginning of a new family. And of ours, as a smaller one.

 And yet, bigger at the same time.

Turning away from a happy pathway is always at least a little melancholy.

 But I look forward to seeing what God will do on this path. And we feel blessed to have Ruthie joining us.