. . . She Bit My Ear

Dear Family and Friends,

What a year two thousand and five has been! This Christmas Letter will read as if the year began in September two thousand four, as that is when a great event of this year had its beginning. It was in September 2004 when Cheryl and I became aware that the other was on this planet. For it was on the second Sunday of that month, when we began enjoying eating breakfast together after church services at any one of several fine local restaurants.

The writing of this letter began in October to give John plenty of time to work it over prior to its release. At this time of the year, we have only a few weeks to wait and the wondrous Christmas advent season will be upon us. At Christmas time, we can only stand in awe of the love that our almighty God has for us; for he created us, loved us, and sent his son to die for us. This is the most important message we will hear during our entire lifetime on this earth.

A grand event of the year occurred in April, when Oona Violet R---, our first grandchild arrived into this world. Since Oona and her parents reside in Anchorage, we see them often.

One Sunday during September 2004, during the passing of the peace at the worship service, Cheryl leaned over the back of the pew in front of me, and bit my ear. I said "You carnivorous little wench!" I knew then that my life would never be the same as I once knew it to be.

Three months later, she accepted with much glee my marriage proposal. On the fourteenth of May 2005, we were married at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Anchorage. The church and reception hall were full of friends and relatives, all of whom had supported each of us when we each going through our difficult months of recent years. Immediately after Rev. Cavens pronounced us as man and wife, Cheryl yelled out "Hee-Haw", and I sounded a very determined "Uff-da".

Following the ceremony, we honeymooned in Vancouver and Victoria, Canada. What a delightful trip! Admittedly, I was apprehensive about it; but in the end it was very rewarding. So many delightful and interesting places to see. In Vancouver, we toured Stanley Park, visited the aquarium, and the maritime museum, where the RCMP schooner St. Roch is on exhibit. The St. Roch was the first ship to sail completely around the North American continent. From there, we toured numerous sites in the lovely city of Victoria, including the famed Butchard Gardens. We were only able to tour for a week, as Cheryl had to return to her work in Anchorage. These two cities are well worth visiting.

John and Cheryl