right now

I write a lot of things here that verge on, "vague," or even, "cryptic." I think this time it might be refreshing to write something free from the haze of ambiguity. So, how 'bout an update?

I recently moved from Nashville, TN to Salem, OR. I'm sure the first thing in your head is, "why?" and then the second must be, "I'm sure it's for a girl." If that's what you thought... well... you're entirely correct.

I am engaged to a beautiful west-coast woman. I am living with her parents at the moment, which I'm sure sounds like it must be a nightmare. Surprisingly, it isn't. In fact, it couldn't be a more pleasant arrangement. Their generosity and grace are perhaps their strongest qualities.

I don't have a job yet; I also am lacking a vehicle. I should probably be overwhelmed. I'm not, though. Well, not all the time at least. I am more just excited to see how things pan out.

I'm also trying to establish myself as a person apart from my fiancee. As proud as I am to be associated with her, I don't only want to be "Aly's fiance" in the minds of others. What I'm really praying for are even just a couple solid relationships with people my age. I'd prefer guys (I already get my fair share or estrogen), and I'd love someone I could play music with.

Aly and I met with her pastor last Thursday to see if he'd perform the ceremony. He is, and he will also be offering us per-marital counseling for the next few months. Oddly, I'm really excited about it. I know it's probably going to be something that is more difficult than it sounds, but I also really feel good about having someone with an outside perspective offering advice an input into our relationship and the inevitable challenges we'll face adjusting to incessant togetherness. He gave us a book with matching workbooks to begin on called, "Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts." Even the first chapter has been seriously eye-opening. It's a bit of a buzz-kill, but it is really giving me, I think, more realistic expectations for Aly as a person, and for our relationship in the future.

About a week ago we visited the location for the wedding. It is about 30 miles South of Salem in between the more rural communities of Albany and Corvallis. We turned off the highway and towards what seemed like a road curving into nothingness - just fields and their accompanying farm houses almost disappearing into the distance before being stopped abruptly at the foot of the Cascades. After not more than 5 minutes we pulled into a driveway next to a small house. This isn't a commercial wedding site. It's more like a word-of-mouth location. A small old lady with less than perfect hearing lives on the land, which is comprised mostly of intricate gardens. She must spend all of her time tending to them; thats what she was doing when we pulled in, anyway.

We walked on a footbridge over a rushing stream, and Aly showed me around, describing how she is picturing everything. Occasionally she would glance at me with a hopeful and inquiring look, as if to ask, "Do you like it?" I did. It felt like Narnia. The grass was a deep green. Cows lulled in the mid-ground. In the distance snow-caped mountains completed the picturesque setting. It was truly surreal. Now, having no plan B, let us all pray it does not rain in Salem - or how about anywhere in Oregon, to be safe - on July 7, 2008.

Until then, however, I need to catch up on some sleep. And get a job. And a car. And save some money. And help plan a wedding (kinda). And plan a honeymoon. And THAT (pause for emphasis) is about all that is going on right now.