In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Man of Honor

In 3 days my brother  is getting married.jason and i cropped

When we were young, we drove each other crazy. I might have even hated him a little.Then, somewhere along the way, we became best friends.

We grew up.

I named my son after him.

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He has been the bestest uncle and great uncle in the whole world!  Just to show you how much he means to our family …..ALL of my children are flying home for his wedding this weekend! 

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 Copy (3) of 149

Jason, Jennessa, Brian and lori 

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He is more than amazing.

When I was making wrong choices in my life, he didn’t turn his back on me. When I was wounded he helped me find healing. He took me in…he made his home, mine.  He didn’t judge me. He treated me like I still had worth.

He never stopped believing in me…even at my worst. He believed in all that I could be. He believed in me until I could believe in myself.

When I had lost myself, he helped me to find my way to “me”.  When I was broken, he didn’t try to fix me because he didn’t see me as broken.  When I was without hope he helped me find it. When I was scared he made me feel safe. He gave me courage to face my demons and helped me to not run away.

When I couldn’t love myself he taught me how to do this by loving me unconditionally.

He was and still is “my Jesus with skin on”.

Without him, I wouldn’t be here.

This noble man of character taught me what a real man is. He showed me what a man of honor looks like. He taught me what to look for in a man. He believed that I was worthy of a man like this. And then when I found one, and  fell in love with him, he approved, so I married him. He stood by my side, as my “man honor”.Gerry and Lori's wedding

And then he met her…a noble woman…

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…and fell in love.

It didn’t take long for me to love her too. She is amazing…just like him. In 3 days, she will officially be my sister.

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I am so happy that he has found the love of his life. I am so thankful that he didn’t give up looking for her. I am so glad that she said “yes”.

Here’s to you Jason…

Here’s to all the great times…the fun times….for rocking out full blast with me to our favorite group while driving in the car…for always making me laugh…to all our fun times with “Jack”.

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Here’s to surviving hell and back. Here’s to always getting back up after falling down. Here’s to always finding the rainbow after the storm. Here’s to never losing hope in finding “the one”. Here’s to living a life of being real and true to yourself. Here’s to keeping your head up no matter what comes.

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Here’s to you, Jason, a real man of honor…for teaching me…without you, I wouldn’t have found my own man of honor to marry. Thank you for honoring my life with your presence. You are the best!

Here’s to you, Patty…welcome to our family. We are honored to have you.

I love you Jason and Patty.

XXXOOO    Lori

PS I can hardly wait until your special day!!! Woot! Woot!

PSS  Of course I am extremely excited that ALL my children will be home at the same time…even if it’s just for a few days. Thanks for getting married so they had a reason to come home!

18 comments:

Lea said...

Congratulations! It's always wonderful that people coming into our families are awesome and we have no other choice but to love them because of who they are and the joy they bring to one of our loved ones!

I haven't been reading blogs in a while and just recently been able to catch up with some of my favorite bloggers, such as you. I must say, your grandbabies have grown and continue to get cuter and cuter!

Glad you get to see all your kids soon! I'm sure your excited! My first grandbaby was due last saturday but she has yet to make an appearance and I am bursting out of my own skin with anticipation of being able to hold her hopefully at the end of Oct!

SciFi Dad said...

He sounds like an awesome brother.

Congratulations on his wedding, and enjoy your visit with all your kids.

Jeannie said...

Congrats to Jason! Sounds like a fantastic guy. My brothers would never ever be like him. You are so fortunate.

Jan said...

Congratulations, Jason and Patty!

Lori, it's so wonderful that you have a brother like you do; it makes my heart glad for you.

And that is one BIG mug of beer. Did tiny little you drink it all??

Buckeroomama said...

What a beautiful tribute to your brother. :)

Congrats and best wishes to your brother and to his soon-to-be wife.

I Am Woody said...

I have tears in my eyes. I am so glad that you have such a special person in your life. You deserve it!

Praying for perfect wedding weather!

Brian Miller said...

that was beautiful. sounds like you have a special guy that that has stood by you through a lot. i wish i could say i always did that for my sis, though i hope she knows now. congrats on the upcoming wedding.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post. My oldest sister is the same to me that your brother is to you. She has helped me in so many ways.

I'm so happy for them both. I can't wait to see pictures and I'm sure it will be an absolutely wonderful day!

Bogey said...

Lori, I think your brother could teach the world a thing or three about being less judgemental and more open and loving. It is marvelous that you and your brother have created such a strong bond together and that the rest of your family can bare witness to this amazing relationship. In our own wish to survive our upbringing, we often cast aside such familial allegiances. I am happy to hear that you have held on for the ride and that your brother held you afloat until your feet could touch the sand. Looks good on both of you. Congratulations to your brother, his future wife and your new "sister". And thank you for being such a great cyber-friend. Cheers!!!!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Happy Wedding! Happy Life! Can't wait to see the wedding pictures :-)
Congratulations one and all.
xo

blognut said...

What a sweet post - your brother sounds like a wonderful man!

Stepping said...

"Jesus with skin on"... what a beautiful way to describe your brother. My very best wishes to him and to your new "sister".

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Oh, sounds like a grand party lies ahead. I know how it goes with brothers - and then how easily it can come together when we least expect it.

Have a great time with all your kids and all your family.

Debbie said...

I hope the wedding went well. I assume we'll see pictures?

Smart Mouth Broad said...

How awesome to have such a great brother. I think he's pretty blessed to have you too.

Kathryn Magendie said...

I love my brothers! WHen we lost David, my heart was broken - it's been since 1994, but I will never stop missing him...never...so my brothers and I cherish every day!

what a special post :)

CONGRATS TO THE GROOM!

Laura said...

Mazel Tov! All the best to your brother--what an awesome testament to a man who must really be awesome. Enjoy the ceremony, enjoy the celebration--enjoy more time to be with family.

midlife slices said...

What a lovely tribute to an equally lovely brother.

I love the picture in the header. Those precious children are really growing up. :)