When The Mother Of The Groom Just Can't Keep Her Mouth Shut

My youngest son -- the baby in our family -- got married last weekend. Was I ready? Is any mother ever ready?

So here's some advice I gave myself:

Louie. Louie. Louie. My last born. My baby. The youngest of my five sons. You started out unique -- being born during a total solar eclipse -- hence the name Eclipse Louie. And for those unscientific types -- most of our family at least -- here is a lesson in science. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the earth and the sun -- and blocks it. The only thing that can be seen is a circular band of bright light around the sun. And Lou, for all of us, you are and always have been a great source of bright light in our lives. Two words come to mind to describe you: Symmetry and Balance. Symmetry because never had I seen a face whose features were so perfectly aligned at birth than yours. Unfortunately that didn't last long. With your characteristic total disregard for your body, you broke your gorgeous nose (with the aid of a few friends and baseball, basketball and soccer) not once, but four times, before graduating high school. So much for symmetry. You also had and have an exquisite sense of balance. School work during the week and plenty of fun and frolicking on the weekends. As an adult, working hard and playing hard too. Your sense of balance has also contributed to you being referred to as "the daughter mom never had." Why? Because you give the best hugs, still confide in me on occasion and always are quick to tell me you love me. However, you balance this out with being upfront and honest with me when I am in the wrong or being illogical or irrational -- which, of course, I rarely am. You are close to mama, but not a mama's boy. How could you be with four brothers constantly pushing you to "man up"? This weekend marks a milestone. You joined with another in matrimony and by extension -- her family too. Joia is thoughtful, kind, low-key, family oriented not just to her own family but ours as well, and beautiful on the inside and out. And her family, since the moment we met them, have gone out of their way to make us comfortable and welcome. Milestones call for advice. Though my days of active parenting are past, here's a bit of wisdom I'd like to pass on to you. Louie, remember: Happy wife. Happy life. And to Louie and Joia: