My sweet grandma sent a note after our marriage. She had some really sweet words.
"I keep remembering the lovely party and that the thank you cookies were wonderful! The memory of you kneeling across the alter in temple was so beautiful. It was a great time for me. Looks like official family game-party will be Saturday before things 1 day after Michelle's wedding- but come before if you can. Sorry this is late- I'm still catching up. Lori left Thursday and Kurt's family came Wednesday night. Then later on Sunday, they had wreck- but only van hurt! Keep in touch!
Grandma Lael
You're all of those things we hoped our son would choose, and more.... he's so very lucky to have you for a wife, partner, and friend... and we're lucky to have you for a daughter-in-law. Happy Birthday! You are beautiful and talented and good! We love you and wish you a successful year!
Love, Mom and Dad Pack
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Wedding Cards and Advice
We received so many thoughtful cards and gifts from loved ones at our wedding. Many of the cards had printed messages, some written by the giver. I've put anything printed on cards in italics.
Throughout the changes life always brings,
May you be blessed with all of these things-
Caring, trust, and happiness, too...
May they always bring joy to the two of you.
Congratulations, Love, Mike and Carol James
Jeff and Andrea,
Congratulations on your decision to become an eternal family! You are wonderful people. We wish you the best. PS- Andrea congrats and way to go on your graduation- that's wonderful!
Love, the Garners
With thoughts of you and wishes, too, for love and joy and laughter, And something for you both to use in your "happy-ever-after!"
Wishing you the Best! Love the Billow family
Carolyn, I wanted to congratulate Andrea and Jeff on their big adventure! What a special time, I can't wait to get details:) I'm so sorry we were unable to make the party- hope it was wonderful! God grant you life's richest blessings and love's deepest joys throughout your life.
Love, Lizzio family: Frank, Monti, Riley and Lauren
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Dale and Julie Bond
Today, Tomorrow, and Always Wishing both of you a wonderful life together.
Hey Andrea- Congratulations! I want to wish you both the best in your future lives together. Also, good luck in your future career, you're an amazing designer. I'll have to email you some pictures of our rooms we designed. I just want to wish you the best and good luck iin all you both do.
Love Always, Jessica Likes
Jeff and Andrea, May today's wishes be tomorrow's dreams come true. Congratulations on your wedding day. How wonderful! We wish you the very best for eternity!
Love, Cousin Jennifer and Louis and all 7 of our children!
This special day marks the beginning of your new life together. May the dreams that you share, come true for both of you. Love is more than just looking at each other, it is also looking at a life that leads you both in the same direction. Congratulations!
The Marc and Pam Kelly family
Congratulations! May God bless you both in all your endeavors and throughout eternity
Love, the Neals
Warm Congratulations- It's a time worth celebrating... And you're the kind of persons it's a joy congratulating! Congratulations to the new couple on your wedding! Best wishes and much happiness forever together.
The Beare's
Andrea and Jeffrey,
Wishing you both every wonderful thing that a life filled with love could possibly bring! Congratulations!! Best wishes in starting your new life together!
Janean Baird
Finally, a letter I received from my old Seminary teacher. It's long but so worth it, she included the best advice and I hope I remember to do something like this for younger friends when I am older and experienced.
Dear Andrea and Jeff,
What great news! (Jeff, we've been friends with Andrea since we moved into her family's North Carolina ward in 1994.) Andrea, you are so grand in every way. I loved your very attractive announcement, but mostly, thank you for sending us the new of your upcoming marriage in the Denver Temple. What a wonderful journey you both are beginning. We wish you well in your crafting a truly eternal marriage.
Peter's and my growth into a "team-marriage" would have been faster and smoother if we knew in 1978, when we married, what we now know; I imagine this is the case with every long-term couple. It is on that notion that we offer six suggestions (that we realize are completely unsolicited) that have been helpful to us as we have learned them through the years. (These are in addition to the obvious ones of daily scripture study and prayer as a family, couple prayer each night, weekly dates, kindness, etc.)
The first is to frequently ask yourselves (oneself), "What are we (am I) really trying to accomplish and will this get us (me) there?" It is easy to get caught up in tasks (vocational, household, church callings, community service, etc.) and lose sight of the true goals of marriage, parenting, etc.
The second is to both work hard and play hard. A balance is needed and both need to be included in life. We have a friend who is now head counsel at BYU, but was a full-time seminary teacher prior to law school. He told both of us that during his CES days he read "the write-up of a study the Church conducted about ~25 years ago(?), in which they found the single item which contributed to happy famillies was consistent family play time." The study obviously was not negating the real need for daily family and individual prayer and regular scripture study- but instead highlighting the importance of adding family and couple playfulness and down time in order for family dynamics to be positive.
Third is to be present in the moment- experience what one is doing- both with people, emotions and tasks. (Don't hide behind a book, hand-held electronics, memory trails of past experiences, etc.)
Our fourth suggestion is helpful when one is either momentarily too upset over an issue to discuss it rationally or when one spouse tries to dodge an issue that is difficult for him/her to acknowledge and discuss. In both of these situations, we found the following phrase to be effective, "When in the next 24 hours would you like to discuss such and such?" And then follow through.
Fifth is when one spouse wants to correct the other spouse. First ask, "Would you like a suggestion about ___?" If they do, proceed, If they don't, silence is likely the best course of action as it probably is not a teaching moment.
The last suggestion is to check in with the other spouse after you've been away form each other for a few hours. With a few sentences, share what you experienced, what you did, and how you felt about it.
We hope you find the enclosed check helpful in setting up your new household and home. May your eternal marriage be wonderful in every sense of the word. We send you our heart-felt, best wishes.
Fondly, Christine and Peter Anderson
Throughout the changes life always brings,
May you be blessed with all of these things-
Caring, trust, and happiness, too...
May they always bring joy to the two of you.
Congratulations, Love, Mike and Carol James
Jeff and Andrea,
Congratulations on your decision to become an eternal family! You are wonderful people. We wish you the best. PS- Andrea congrats and way to go on your graduation- that's wonderful!
Love, the Garners
With thoughts of you and wishes, too, for love and joy and laughter, And something for you both to use in your "happy-ever-after!"
Wishing you the Best! Love the Billow family
Carolyn, I wanted to congratulate Andrea and Jeff on their big adventure! What a special time, I can't wait to get details:) I'm so sorry we were unable to make the party- hope it was wonderful! God grant you life's richest blessings and love's deepest joys throughout your life.
Love, Lizzio family: Frank, Monti, Riley and Lauren
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Dale and Julie Bond
Today, Tomorrow, and Always Wishing both of you a wonderful life together.
Hey Andrea- Congratulations! I want to wish you both the best in your future lives together. Also, good luck in your future career, you're an amazing designer. I'll have to email you some pictures of our rooms we designed. I just want to wish you the best and good luck iin all you both do.
Love Always, Jessica Likes
Jeff and Andrea, May today's wishes be tomorrow's dreams come true. Congratulations on your wedding day. How wonderful! We wish you the very best for eternity!
Love, Cousin Jennifer and Louis and all 7 of our children!
This special day marks the beginning of your new life together. May the dreams that you share, come true for both of you. Love is more than just looking at each other, it is also looking at a life that leads you both in the same direction. Congratulations!
The Marc and Pam Kelly family
Congratulations! May God bless you both in all your endeavors and throughout eternity
Love, the Neals
Warm Congratulations- It's a time worth celebrating... And you're the kind of persons it's a joy congratulating! Congratulations to the new couple on your wedding! Best wishes and much happiness forever together.
The Beare's
Andrea and Jeffrey,
Wishing you both every wonderful thing that a life filled with love could possibly bring! Congratulations!! Best wishes in starting your new life together!
Janean Baird
Finally, a letter I received from my old Seminary teacher. It's long but so worth it, she included the best advice and I hope I remember to do something like this for younger friends when I am older and experienced.
Dear Andrea and Jeff,
What great news! (Jeff, we've been friends with Andrea since we moved into her family's North Carolina ward in 1994.) Andrea, you are so grand in every way. I loved your very attractive announcement, but mostly, thank you for sending us the new of your upcoming marriage in the Denver Temple. What a wonderful journey you both are beginning. We wish you well in your crafting a truly eternal marriage.
Peter's and my growth into a "team-marriage" would have been faster and smoother if we knew in 1978, when we married, what we now know; I imagine this is the case with every long-term couple. It is on that notion that we offer six suggestions (that we realize are completely unsolicited) that have been helpful to us as we have learned them through the years. (These are in addition to the obvious ones of daily scripture study and prayer as a family, couple prayer each night, weekly dates, kindness, etc.)
The first is to frequently ask yourselves (oneself), "What are we (am I) really trying to accomplish and will this get us (me) there?" It is easy to get caught up in tasks (vocational, household, church callings, community service, etc.) and lose sight of the true goals of marriage, parenting, etc.
The second is to both work hard and play hard. A balance is needed and both need to be included in life. We have a friend who is now head counsel at BYU, but was a full-time seminary teacher prior to law school. He told both of us that during his CES days he read "the write-up of a study the Church conducted about ~25 years ago(?), in which they found the single item which contributed to happy famillies was consistent family play time." The study obviously was not negating the real need for daily family and individual prayer and regular scripture study- but instead highlighting the importance of adding family and couple playfulness and down time in order for family dynamics to be positive.
Third is to be present in the moment- experience what one is doing- both with people, emotions and tasks. (Don't hide behind a book, hand-held electronics, memory trails of past experiences, etc.)
Our fourth suggestion is helpful when one is either momentarily too upset over an issue to discuss it rationally or when one spouse tries to dodge an issue that is difficult for him/her to acknowledge and discuss. In both of these situations, we found the following phrase to be effective, "When in the next 24 hours would you like to discuss such and such?" And then follow through.
Fifth is when one spouse wants to correct the other spouse. First ask, "Would you like a suggestion about ___?" If they do, proceed, If they don't, silence is likely the best course of action as it probably is not a teaching moment.
The last suggestion is to check in with the other spouse after you've been away form each other for a few hours. With a few sentences, share what you experienced, what you did, and how you felt about it.
We hope you find the enclosed check helpful in setting up your new household and home. May your eternal marriage be wonderful in every sense of the word. We send you our heart-felt, best wishes.
Fondly, Christine and Peter Anderson
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