Some years we include our children in our anniversary celebration with a nice steak dinner at home instead of having a night out. This year we chose that option since we have a new baby and all the nice restaurants are an hour away. The older the kids get, there more fun it is to tell them stories of what our lives were like before they were born.
As we were sipping our wine and Izze sodas we heard a piece on the classical music station performed by clarinetist David Shifrin. I explained to the kids that he teaches at the prestigious Yale School of Music and that when I was a clarinetist I always admired his playing.
Of course the mention of this school means nothing to them, but they enjoyed the story I proceeded to tell them of my audition at Yale long ago. Based on a preliminary tape screening I was invited to audition in person. I traveled by plane, then by train to Connecticut. After settling in an old hotel in New Haven with noisy radiator heat I explored the campus and went at the appointed time to play for David Shifrin. Although he liked my tone quality, I had gotten nervous and messed up a bit too much to be accepted into the graduate school. It's a good thing though, I explained, because if I had attended Yale I would not have met Dad and none of then would have been born.
They all looked shocked at the possibility of this until Sunshine explained with a smile, "God wanted you to get nervous and mess up because he wanted us to be born!"
Of course.
Here's a marriage poem that we printed on the back of our wedding program. Such a good reminder eleven years later.
Marriage Takes Three
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
