The Marriage Supper

Lauren and I met at Pine Summit Christian Camp in Big Bear Lake, CA, August 15, 1977—the day Elvis Presley died. Three years and one day later we were married in the same place. Since the camp was about two-and-a-half hours from our hometown, we kind of had a “destination” wedding in the bucolic San Gabriel Mountains.

 Our reception was held in the camp dining hall, and the food was prepared by Esther, the ancient and grumpy camp cook. It wasn’t what you’d call gourmet…but it was wonderful.

 That celebratory “feast” was the culmination of three years of waiting, and the beginning of something beautiful. Nearly forty-five years, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren later, I look back on that day as a glorious foretaste of the life we’ve shared. And the joy, love, and community we felt were only a glimpse of the eternal celebration that awaits us as people who hope in Christ.