Love on Vashon Island

Backing up a month ago, Andy and I spent 6 days on Vashon Island off the coast of Seattle. Vashon is a little piece of heaven, misty and rainy, but heaven no less.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.

Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.

Travis and Maureen were high school friends in Richmond, VA over 20 years ago. After graduation they went separate ways: school, careers and marriages. there were ups and downs along their paths and then a couple of years ago they connected on Facebook. Travis, a widower with a young son was living in Portland and Maureen lived in NYC. Through e-mails, text messages and phone calls their friendship grew until a year ago when they discovered they loved each other. Now that is romantic!

They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.

So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.

As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!