In August, my sister Andrea remarried after several years. She married Joe. The reason I’m including this in the blog postings is because my blog is about starting over and succeeding to build a happy life, no matter what age you are. And this is definitely a happy ending story.
My sister used online dating services and met a lot of guys, all ages, some good, some not so good, had some good relationships, some really fun dates, but never met her perfect match. Fast forward about 7 years and here is her story. She met Joe because of a cookie monster picture. He and Cookie were together and it made her laugh. So she wrote to him, he wrote back, and they decided to meet. Cue cupid and they were bit by the bug and started dating. I don’t know all the details; she lives 2 hours away and we don’t see each other a lot, but they were happy dating and next thing you know, they were becoming serious. Fast forward again, and this past August, they married. And I was the wedding officiant who married them! We had a great time at their wedding. It was small, in a hall in Berkeley Heights, good food, great live music (my sister is friends with a band, Shore Soundz Band), a fun photographer (Allan Reider Studio), lots to drink, and moi, crying as I officiated and pronounced them husband and wife (wife and husband?). All of our family except for one missing niece Allie, was there and we had a blast. (She is in Seattle in her new architect position-we missed her!) My sister’s son and daughter, Jen and her date Joe and Billy, and Billy’s new fiancée Marissa, my brother Joe and sister-in law Deb and their other daughter Katelyn and her date Justin, and my son Will, plied us all with enough drinks that we got up and danced, even me with my cane! The dancing went on for hours and no one wanted to leave, a sign of a fun wedding. We met Joe’s family (Are you seeing a lot of Joe’s in this story?), saw old friends and met new ones, ate and drank, and then left the newlyweds and made our long way home.
So congratulations Andrea and Joe. Live a long, happy life. You were blessed to find each other.
My other purpose in writing about this is to tell you that anyone, any age, can find happiness. It may not be marriage that you seek, but whatever it is, go after it, don’t think you’re too old, and make your life what you want it to be. If you want to go back to school, do it. If you want to change jobs, or quit a job if you are able, do it. If you want to date, go online and try it. Just be careful. Get a pet, join a club. No clubs? Go to http://www.meetup.com and find clubs in your area. Try a hobby like one of those painting groups that seem to be everywhere. They walk you through painting a picture and you may have talent! Get out of the house and enjoy your life. Do stupid stuff with a best friend; eat some junk once in a while. Think positive thoughts, think healthy thoughts, don’t just sit and do nothing. Our time is so fleeting. Don’t waste it.
A Cup of Tea...and a Book 