Yes, that is exactly what they said to us, 11 years ago today, as we were standing in line at the license bureau in Covington, KY applying for our marriage license.

And… they were serious!

Today is our wedding anniversary, September 1st, 1998. It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years already! Sean was starting his freshman year of high school and Matt was 12.

Doug’s parents and our good friend, Dale, were with us. I don’t know who was trying harder not to laugh, my in-laws, Dale or us.

I’m from New York. Doug is from Wisconsin and we pretty much figured it’s a given that you’re related AFTER you say your vows, not before.

Covington, KY is right across the river from Cincinnati, OH. Many people live in Northern KY and work in Cincy, so this wasn’t exactly the back woods.

You have to wonder, though, if they have to ask the question about whether or not we’re related, who in the world is showing up to get married?

Ewww, I don’t even want to think about that! (Shudder!)

Wait, it gets better.

After they gave us the license, we went to the Justice of the Peace across the street. Yes, we did have a church wedding, but not until May of the following year. We found the perfect house just a couple of months prior and were not going to move into a house with 2 teenage boys without being married.

We all walked across the street.. me, Doug, my future in-laws and Dale. The door was closed and locked. Hmmm, o.k. What’s the deal here? Are we going to be able to get married or not?

There was a parking lot across the street. You know, the kind with the attendant in the booth that you pay money to park your car.

In less than just a few minutes of spotting us, the parking lot attendant walked out of the booth and started coming toward us. I really didn’t think much of it, until he started walking toward the Justice of the Peace office. You know, with the locked door.

He was wearing t-shirt, shorts, had glasses and was bald. I do remember that!

“Are you getting married today?” he asked.

“Yes, we are, but the Justice of the Peace doesn’t seem to be here,” one of us said.

“Oh, I can help you with that.”

He proceeds to open up the door and walk toward an office in the back. I’m thinking to myself, “Who in the heck is this guy? Is he some helper or assistant? Where in the world is the judge that can marry us?”

He went over to a coat rack, picked up a judges robe from the rack and started to put it on. I looked at Doug, Doug looked at me and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing.

O.K.., ready for this one.. Are you sitting down?

HE was the Justice of the Peace!

Yes, that’s right, the parking lot attendant was also the Justice of the Peace.

We all looked at each other and I have to tell you, it was like something out of a comedy skit. Who was going to not laugh first was the question. First, the license desk asking us if we’re related and then the parking lot attendant being the judge.

It wasn’t a joke, he was really the judge, we did get legally married that day and moved into our house.

Nine months later, on May 1st of 2009, we had the most beautiful church ceremony and catered reception in our home. Our parents and lots of friends flew in from out of town, it was really an amazing day.

Sean and Matt walked me down the aisle. That was truly special.

Doug’s brother-in-law, Jim, is a pastor and performed the service. His wife, Kathy, is opera-trained and sang with her dad. Their son, Jacob, and my goddaughter, Charlotte, were our ring bearer and flower girl. Charlotte is now 18, and a college freshman. Jake just got his drivers license.

Time sure does fly! It’s been an amazing 11 years and I know there will be many more.