Old People Presents

In a few weeks, my sister is getting married. Hooray!

In some ways I feel like this has all come on sort of suddenly, even though it hasn't. Joanna and Jordan got enaged this summer, a few weeks before Henry was born. That was around the same time I went into Newborn Baby Stupor from which I'm only just barely emerging. Barely.

I feel like I'm coming late to the party, but maybe that's just the nature of these kinds of events. The reality of it all -- She's found someone wonderful! She's getting married! -- it keeps hitting me here and there, in tiny little bursts of overwhelming joy. I am so happy that she is so happy.

Today, my sister and I (and my BFF Henry) ran a few errands together. One of those errands was to pick up the couple's wedding bands. As we drove, we talked about the wedding, and all there was left to do, and also Christmas -- gifts we are giving and what's on our list.

As we were pulling out of the jewelers' parking lot, we passed my brother and his wife (and our new niece!) pulling in to the coffee shop next door. I rolled down my window and we smiled and waved and shouted to each other. "What are you doing?" "Getting coffee! What are you doing?" "Getting rings!" "We love you!" "Love you too!"

And as we drove away, I realized that one sure sign of growing up is that the happiness of those you love -- watching those people find peace and fulfillment and joy -- that is better than any gift you could possibly ask for.