Despite being as crispy as a deep-fried Asian wonton, the sunny trip to Cabo was wonderful in countless ways. It’s been more than a decade since I’ve been to Mexico, and this getaway coincided with a Chicago snowstorm. EXCELLENT! Most importantly, it was a chance to see a dear friend get married in a tropical paradise and meet some fabulous new people.
BUT... there were some unfortunate challenges along the way. A sick groom, flight delays, a guest with a death in the family, the MIA wedding coordinator… it wasn’t an easy road. However, this story has a happy ending.
Looking stunning as she flowed across the sand on her fathers' arms, Sarah was greeted by forty friends and family, as well as Kurtis, the lucky groom. As they joined hands in front of vibrant blue skies and the sparking sea, each was asked if they took the other's hand in marriage. While Sarah's response was a regal "I do," Kurtis burst out with an enthusiastic "YES!" to declare his love... and to the laughter of every wedding guest. For that shining moment, everyone forgot the bumpy path leading to that day and embraced the moment as they witnessed two people share their first kiss as man and wife.
BUT... there were some unfortunate challenges along the way. A sick groom, flight delays, a guest with a death in the family, the MIA wedding coordinator… it wasn’t an easy road. However, this story has a happy ending.
Looking stunning as she flowed across the sand on her fathers' arms, Sarah was greeted by forty friends and family, as well as Kurtis, the lucky groom. As they joined hands in front of vibrant blue skies and the sparking sea, each was asked if they took the other's hand in marriage. While Sarah's response was a regal "I do," Kurtis burst out with an enthusiastic "YES!" to declare his love... and to the laughter of every wedding guest. For that shining moment, everyone forgot the bumpy path leading to that day and embraced the moment as they witnessed two people share their first kiss as man and wife.
How does this tie to Extra + Ordinary?
Simple - "yes" is a common word. You probably said it when the barista asked if you wanted cream in your coffee or when your boss asked for 10 minutes of your time. However, what makes the yes "extra" to your "ordinary" is the zeal and affirmation behind it, no matter how big or small the end result.
How many times do we make half-hearted decisions? I know it is a daily occurrence for me, but in order to have an extraordinary life, we must be passionate about what we do, how we do it and most importantly, WHY we do it. Is it for love? Is it for kindness? Is it for pleasure? Is it to get closer to a goal? Think about this when you come to the fork in the road.
It certainly impacted me in the past few days. I've approached a fork, one 29 years in the making. Where do I want to be in five years? What do I want to do? With whom do I want to spend my life? Options are bombarding me and each has its pros and cons, but it will soon be time to say yes to many changes - both scary and exciting - that will start a new chapter. Fingers crossed that my "yes!" responses are as full of fervor as Kurtis'!
Here's to each of you as you take a baby step or a giant leap into the next phase of your life and here's to the bride and groom! Wishing you an eternity of joys & smiles, a lifetime of hand-holding & heart-warming, and a never-ending list of exceptional memories.
