Running through the Lobby: 8 short minutes;30 years ago


It's nearly midnight-- Mountain Daylight Time on the last night of a great Writers' Conference. I'm sitting on the floor in the Marriott Denver lobby. (I'm close to an electric plug for the laptop and on the floor because I can spread out "my gear.")

I'm doing what I love best: writing. It's quiet. Everyone with any sense has gone to bed.

I'm glad I'm up because if I hadn't been I'd missed them.

I heard them before I saw them. A young couple in white, running and giggling. She was in her beautiful wedding dress (carrying her slippers) and he wore a white tuxedo. They were running (as much as you can run in a wedding dress) toward the elevator.

Visibly deeply in love. Laughing. Full of emotion of a special day that'll live on in their hearts.
They didn't see me but I couldn't resist, "Congratulations."

They both smiled and waved. I added, "My wife and I just celebrated thirty years. Believe me, it only gets better."

They both replied. "Then congratulations to you." I heard the elevator door open, then shut, and they were gone.

I was so glad I saw them for that brief moment in time. My prayer is that they'll feel the same way in thirty years that DeDe and I do.

I thought back to that Thursday-- August 9, 1979.

We got married in her parents' living room. I have a photo of us as a newly married couple with the mantel clock behind us. It reads 2:08 PM.

Our wedding took eight minutes. However, a knot can be tied securely in less than eight minutes. It's a matter of the heart.

8 minutes.
30 years ago on an August afternoon.
Brought back to me by a running giggling newlywed couple in the lobby of the Denver Marriott.

Long live love.
Life is good.

C.I.