Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Things are in full swing for the culmination of the restoration tour. As we count down to 365 days, or one full year of restoration, pieces are starting to fall into place.
I’ve known since August 7th of last year that we would spend a year restoring our marriage, then ride the Tour de Cox and hold a ceremony in which we would renew our vows on August 6 of this year. To that end, we’ve talked, loved, visited, revisited, and trained, all with the goal of healing the past hurts and building a strong and brighter future.
What hasn’t been so sure is what that ceremony is exactly going to look like. It’s been more a vague concept than anything actually planned until more recently. I’ve known that it would happen, but the how, when, where, etc. was kind of left up to chance.
That’s not like me at all. I’m a planner who wants to know all the details of a thing before I take it on. In this case, it was all part of the vision God gave me and I’ve just known that it would come together and that it would be beautiful.
Over the weekend, Ceecee and I were at Nathaniel Greene Park. It’s a large area in south Springfield and the south creek trail, where we often run and cycle, runs right through it.
We went around to the back side of the artificial lake, where we’ve never been, and discovered some small, secluded playgrounds back there. One has a teeter totter that’s made like a dragonfly. Another has cement tables and chairs that are painted like bright, exotic mushrooms. This is where we were sitting when the inspiration hit.
I made the comment that it felt like we were sitting in wonderland. Ceecee immediately picked up on the idea and said that maybe we could have a Mad Hatter’s tea party theme for our ceremony. I quickly agreed and we began scoping out the park for more ideas.
We also went to a consignment dress store downtown she could shop for an “Alice” dress to wear. We found a few ideas and I have some thoughts about dressing up as the Mad Hatter, as well.
Today is the official first day of summer, although we’ve been celebrating the summer of restoration since June 1. Yesterday we went to the Kansas City Zoo and to a tapas bar with Rachel and her boyfriend Ryan and had a great time. Ceecee said she “felt whole.”
Tonight, we’re having Kevin, “the marriage guy,” and his wife over for dinner. I’m going to ask Kevin if he will be part of our ceremony. I’d like him to speak a few words, especially as related to the advice he gave me and the way he helped support us while we were separated.
The Restoration Tour 