Between the wedding and the funeral

There are only three states here in the United States, that allow their Notaries to perform marriage ceremonies: Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida. On January 21st, 2011, I had the privilege and pleasure of performing my first wedding ceremony for a lovely, young...VERY YOUNG couple. Leading up to the ceremony, I had friends and family continuously ask me, "Have you done any type of marriage counseling with them?" After much thought and self-flagellation, I was finally able to come to the conclusion that I am not a counselor and I honestly don't have the training to counsel anyone. However, I DID come up with a REALLY cool idea! I would write a book filled with some of the important things I've learned over the past 25 years of my marriage, in hopes that someone might glean helpful insight which would help their own marriage along. Or if they were preparing for marriage, it would give them an idea of some of the obstacles they might encounter once they make that lifelong commitment. Finally, if maybe they were embarking upon their second or subsequent marriage, I hope my book might be able to help them break out of a destructive marriage cycle and get them on the road to a marriage that will last a lifetime. I will be giving this book to every couple I marry...and ask them to at least read through it before the planning stage of the ceremony. Then hopefully we'll get together to chat and see what they thought of it. At least that's my hope and dream for this book. If you are preparing for marriage, I hope this book will give you some insight into the adventure you are about to embark on. If you are preparing for a second or third (or more) marriage, I hope this book will help you know you are not alone in some of the struggles you have gone through, and if you are already married but are having struggles, my greatest desire is for this book to give you that "second wind" you have dreamed of...some call it "hope." I don't claim to be perfect or know more than anyone else...and I know there will be people who don't even believe in God who might read this who can't relate to "religion". However, I hope they will at least be able to "chew up the meat and spit out the bones." I just want to share my experiences and pray there will be someone who will be helped or blessed by them.