The Best Kind of Fairy Tale

Today is a big day for someone I love very much. My cousin, friend, sister in Christ is getting married. To me, this sounds like the “happily ever after” of storybooks.

Juanita (Kelly's grandma), Donnie, Charlie, and Kelly, 1997?

Once upon a time (June of 1998), a young maiden named Kelly traveled with a little prince named Donnie. They came from afar to reach a magic kingdom which promised a better life for the two of them. They embarked on their adventure with very few earthly belongings. They chose their destination based on sage wisdom from their elders, the renowned Sir Charlie and Lady Laundry. They left a land of perpetual sunshine to come to a land of tornadoes and blizzards. (That may sound backward to some, but it was just right for this maiden and young prince.) After a long journey on a train with a mere two boxes to their name, the settled in a place called Rochester, Minnesota.

Donnie's 3rd B-day, 1st in MN

Traff Troupe + 1

As in most fairy tales, the road to happily ever after wasn’t easy or smooth. That first year in the new kingdom, the maiden couldn’t afford transportation, so she had to rely on others to come to her rescue. They gave her rides where she needed to go, but they also shared the best gift they had with her. You see, the maiden had determined that she was on her own, because God did not exist. Her new friends knew better. They shared, they drove, they prayed, they drove, they explained, and they drove. She listened, she rode, she argued, she rode, she questioned, and she rode. Many miles and conversations later, Kelly initiated the most important conversation, one with God Himself. One night as she lay in bed, tears fell from her eyes until they filled up her ears. She got out of bed, then fell to her knees and accepted the truth: God not only existed, but He loved her enough to die for her.

Kelly, Donnie, & Pastor Paul: baptism/dedication

The maiden got baptized and the prince was dedicated to the Lord. Their days didn’t necessarily get easier, but they had a Rock to cling to when the ne’er-do-wells lurked around the corners of their life. Jobs came and went; friendships formed; years passed. During illnesses and surgeries, the maiden and the little  prince learned to rely on God more completely. During family struggles, they learned to trust God in all circumstances.

Time passed, and the maiden grew more and more beautiful, inside and out. One day in late 2009, she met her Prince Charming. They got to know each other over the next three years and at long last, planned a simple wedding. That wedding will take place this very day! Unlike many fairy tales, their castle is humble and they work very hard - but I think they like it that way. They will be blending their families, a lot like a rainbow blends colors together.

May Kelly, Steve, Donnie, Reid and Rhea live happily ever after, and may they always remember the Author and Illustrator of their story .

Mike (Kelly's older son), Reid, Steve, Rhea, Kelly, and Donnie - one big happy family!!