If you are any friend of mine you've seen and loved the movie "The Princess Bride." You can also quote the movie (using sometimes-terrible attempts at the characters and voices) and have your favorite scenes to choose from.
Our brother is the last of Majdeski siblings to get married. In my opinion, we saved the best for last! His engagement became official yesterday. His fiancee, Jennifer is witty and spicy and doesn't take any crap... love her!
But, I digress. There are two scenes from "The Princess Bride" that come to mind when I think of Mike and Jennifer's engagement. Both bring to mind my hopes for the happy couple... (please excuse any mistakes I make. My husband tells me I remember things incorrectly... all the time... please feel free to correct me)
1. The scene where the priest is trying to perform buttercup's marriage and he is talking SO slowly and says, "Wuv.... twooo wuv..."- my hope for Mike and Jennifer is that their priest can speak clearly and quickly:) If it takes longer than 7 minutes, you've lost the Majdeski challenge.
2. The scene where they visit Billy Crystal's character and he's constantly picking at/arguing with his wife- No, I do not think of this scene because I think you guys will fight. I think of it because it's HILARIOUS! When she says to her husband, "I'm not a vitch, I've your VIFE!"... tears of laughter from this South Dakota girl... But, you knew I'd get serious and here it is.
Mike, you're our only brother and we love you so much. One of the things I love about you is that you love each of us for who we are, and not who you think we should be. When I met Jennifer and spent time with the two of you I realized that's what she is for you. You spent the weekend (stressful as it was with the rally and D.C. nonsense) acting completely as you would if it were just the two of us hanging out. If I never knew anything else about Jennifer, that would have been enough. Seeing the two of you be comfortable and genuine around each other and around us, jokes and banter and all, warms my heart.
I think I can speak for Steve when I say congratulations to you guys, and we love you...
... and don't forget the 7 minute limit:)
4.30.2011
4.24.2011
Sunday is here
I am selfish.
I am reminded every day just how selfish I am, and even more so in April when I spend 24 days being excited about my birthday. I start near the end of March with small, subtle reminders... "Steve, it's almost April and you know what THAT means!!!!!" The subtly starts to disappear on April 1st when I wake him up with, "STEVE, it IS April and you know what THAT MEANS!!!!" It's my birthday month. 3 1/2 weeks for me to think about and talk about myself, constantly. Sounds amazing, right?
This week I was humbled by my friends, both new and old, who went out of their way to make me feel loved. Bright pink and green boxes full of my favorite treats seemed to arrive daily... but shining above all of the luxuries I received were thoughtful cards and notes. Unexpected, because you all know that I am (slightly) emotionally challenged, almost always making a joke to avoid a heartfelt moment. How is it possible that the people I love and respect have taken the time and effort to know me?... really know me, enough to know exactly what I needed this week. Your gifts made me feel like I was sitting with each one of you, laughing and chatting- a cupcake is more than a cupcake when it means you remembered my obsession with caramel cream cheese frosting- perfume is more than perfume when it means you knew what scent I liked without me telling you- a wallet is more than an accessory when it has become a reminder that you think of me even when I'm not with you (and even when you don't agree with my fashion choices). And with all of the tears this week, because I miss you, were smiles and smirks at the memories attached to the things you sent me.
This morning, I am humbled again. In spite of my selfishness and in spite of the failings I constantly fight with, God is great. In spite of the determined focus on MYself and MY birthday and MY struggle to fit in and be content with MY surroundings, God moves me to tears when I am reminded today that the greatest gift I have or will ever receive is a relationship with Jesus Christ. I'm overwhelmed that all of you love me... I'm genuinely amazed by it. It doesn't make sense to me that you would love me... and that's what it's like with Jesus. It doesn't make sense that He would have given up heaven to live an uncomfortable and impossible life on earth, just so he could grab every sin I've ever committed, or will ever commit, and gathered them onto his shoulders as he hung on a cross. It doesn't make sense that He died there, overwhelmed himself by the weight of that sin... the sadness and shame of it... and took it to the grave so he could (pardon the language, but it's true) kick death's ass and rise again!
He did this for me. He would do it again for me, even if I was the only one left to save. Even though I choose to be selfish over and over and over again. And He did it for you. All of you. And then He put you in my life to humble me constantly with your love.
I am reminded every day just how selfish I am, and even more so in April when I spend 24 days being excited about my birthday. I start near the end of March with small, subtle reminders... "Steve, it's almost April and you know what THAT means!!!!!" The subtly starts to disappear on April 1st when I wake him up with, "STEVE, it IS April and you know what THAT MEANS!!!!" It's my birthday month. 3 1/2 weeks for me to think about and talk about myself, constantly. Sounds amazing, right?
This week I was humbled by my friends, both new and old, who went out of their way to make me feel loved. Bright pink and green boxes full of my favorite treats seemed to arrive daily... but shining above all of the luxuries I received were thoughtful cards and notes. Unexpected, because you all know that I am (slightly) emotionally challenged, almost always making a joke to avoid a heartfelt moment. How is it possible that the people I love and respect have taken the time and effort to know me?... really know me, enough to know exactly what I needed this week. Your gifts made me feel like I was sitting with each one of you, laughing and chatting- a cupcake is more than a cupcake when it means you remembered my obsession with caramel cream cheese frosting- perfume is more than perfume when it means you knew what scent I liked without me telling you- a wallet is more than an accessory when it has become a reminder that you think of me even when I'm not with you (and even when you don't agree with my fashion choices). And with all of the tears this week, because I miss you, were smiles and smirks at the memories attached to the things you sent me.
This morning, I am humbled again. In spite of my selfishness and in spite of the failings I constantly fight with, God is great. In spite of the determined focus on MYself and MY birthday and MY struggle to fit in and be content with MY surroundings, God moves me to tears when I am reminded today that the greatest gift I have or will ever receive is a relationship with Jesus Christ. I'm overwhelmed that all of you love me... I'm genuinely amazed by it. It doesn't make sense to me that you would love me... and that's what it's like with Jesus. It doesn't make sense that He would have given up heaven to live an uncomfortable and impossible life on earth, just so he could grab every sin I've ever committed, or will ever commit, and gathered them onto his shoulders as he hung on a cross. It doesn't make sense that He died there, overwhelmed himself by the weight of that sin... the sadness and shame of it... and took it to the grave so he could (pardon the language, but it's true) kick death's ass and rise again!
He did this for me. He would do it again for me, even if I was the only one left to save. Even though I choose to be selfish over and over and over again. And He did it for you. All of you. And then He put you in my life to humble me constantly with your love.
3.09.2011
Sound advice
The conversation went something like this...
husband: "Remember, we're new here so just (pause)... well (pause again to carefully choose next words)... just don't overdo it."
wife (aka: ME!!): "What does that mean? Don't overdo it?"
husband: "Just don't go over the top. You're really (pause- and by now I'm getting tired of the pauses)... well, you're just really outgoing and people here may not know how to take your sense of humor..."
wife: "So, you're saying (pause of my own) don't be myself..."
husband: (shit-eating grin) "basically..."
... welcome to your new home! For all of you who know Steve and I, you'll laugh at that conversation. You'll also understand the bruise Steve had on his right bicep after I gave him a healthy dose of my right-jab.
I need to give Steve a little credit for his observation. This relocation has been just one of several moves in our adult lives. Each time we've arrived in a new city most folks have been quickly introduced to the nervous, high-energy version of me. You may have met her... not much of a filter? Chooses trial-by-fire for testing out someones ability to laugh at themselves? Talks, A LOT!!!?... Steve no-doubt had all of these things on his mind as he gave me the first piece of advice I'd receive in Pierre, South Dakota. "Don't be yourself!"
Naturally, I ignored his advice. After dinner and drinks with a group that included a wide variety of law enforcement, I had made several new friends and a lasting impression on the chief of police (no pun intended with the 'chief'). It's not what you think! He was kind enough to welcome us with a round of shots. Now, I'm not an expert on shots (Whitlow, no comments, please), but I didn't expect the chief to choose something bright pink that smelled like watermelon!! Steve politely declined, and after the rest of us raised and emptied our glasses, I turned to thank our host... "Hey Chief, thanks! Kind of a girly choice though, dontcha think???"...
As it turns out, a great number of people here, including the chief share the ability to laugh at themselves. I'm extremely thankful for that, and for Steve's advice. Thanks for the blog ammunition, husband! Please remember... Just be yourself.
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