WEDDED THANKS!

    It has been some time since the last post on this blog. Life, including milestones like weddings, has a habit of getting in the way. In the past year, we were honored to witness the unions of some special young people, including one at a venue two states away, and another not far from home. Our connection to two of these events was by way of the parents of the two grooms. Not intimate friends, but friendly enough to score invites. This was a bonanza year for us as wedding guests and gift givers. 
    It had been awhile since I shopped wedding registries.What an eye opener that was. 24 years ago when I walked down the aisle, it would have been considered gauche to 'ask' for such gifts as money and furniture. But that train has left the station, and like it or not, I hopped on board.
    But one thing I will never be unwedded to: Thank You notes! If someone takes the time and makes the expense of purchasing a gift, acknowledge the thoughtful gesture. Not by e-mail. Not by text. Not just verbally. And not in a printed letter, but in a handwritten note. Considered old fashioned by today's social media standards? Probably. But it's high time some of these time-honored customs were hammered back into the social mindset of brides and grooms tying the knot these days.
    The honeymoon probably wasn't even over for the out of state couple before their thank you letter, obviously printed on their computer, arrived. Sigh. We weren't the only guests who had traveled a great distance at considerable expense to witness their nuptials. At least they thanked us, which I appreciate, but how much more thoughtful it would have been had the notes been handwritten. It reminded me of the days when our children were little, and could barely write their name on the fill-in-the-blank thank you notes I insisted they complete. But they were four years old! Not approaching their forties!
    The other couple, whom we run into with some regularity around town, must still be on their extended honeymoon. Perhaps the acknowledgement of our gift to them will arrive in the new year, near their first wedding anniversary!
    Thank you notes STILL 'Manner A lot' in my book - the old fashioned kind, handwritten from start to finish.