This is our first ever gingerbread house. Made from scratch. Well from scratch out of a box. It looks pretty good! (Note to peeps who write instructions for assembling gingerbread house: I will never get back the hour of my life I spent merely trying to understand those instructions. Hint, lay off the crack next time. I still don't know why I needed the rolling pin, the scissors, the ruler, the granulated sugar or the confectioner's sugar. Also, you need more than 3 tablespoons of water to mix the icing. You're welcome.)
Waaaaaahhhh. Herb, my favorite Starbucks barista ever, is leaving town. Herb who knows and understands my special drink requirements. Who always has my drink sitting on the counter for me when I walk in. Who often surprises me by 'upsizing' my drink at no extra cost. Who is unfailingly sweet and polite at all times, even when Customers from Hell descend and are unspeakably rude to him. Things are just not going to be the same around here without Herb.
But what I really want to say is 'Herb, how can you DO this to me????' (Seriously, great good luck buddy!)
We chose If I Should Fall Behind as our wedding song because lyrically, for the occasion, it was (and still is) perfect. In essence, it's about understanding that sometimes you can lose sight of what brought you together in the first place. So, if you should happen to fall out of step, lose your way, get lost in the shadow of the evening trees or otherwise screw things up, this is a promise to remember what's really important and to wait for each other to catch up again.
This is the string quartet, from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, who performed during our wedding ceremony at Balmoral Beach in March, 2003. I supplied them with the sheet music, they learned the song, and played it as I walked 'down the aisle' (wasn't really so much an aisle as a path in a beachside park but hey, it did the job!)
Our wedding ceremony, March 23, 2003
And here is that song, performed by Bruce and his lovely wife in Dublin on the Seeger Sessions tour in November 2006. This song has undergone many transformations from the beautiful original to a Dion inspired doo-wop version and this hauntingly gorgeous Irish waltz makeover. I also love the Live in New York City version where Clarence, Patti, Nils and Steve each sing a few lines but I think this one is my most favorite of all...
If I Should Fall Behind
We said we'd walk together baby come what may That come the twilight should we lose our way If as we're walkin a hand should slip free I'll wait for you And should I fall behind Wait for me
We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side We'd help each other stay in stride But each lover's steps fall so differently But I'll wait for you And if I should fall behind Wait for me
Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true But you and I know what this world can do So let's make our steps clear that the other may see And I'll wait for you If I should fall behind Wait for me
Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees I'll wait for you And should I fall behind Wait for me Darlin' I'll wait for you Should I fall behind Wait for me
What can I say? I have the cutest child ever. He is going to be spoiled rotten this Christmas and I do believe I am not going to be apologizing to anyone for that any time soon.
