Tattoos and Marriage

OK, so if you know me at all, you know I don't really care for anything "written" on any part of your body. My kids will tell you, that they used to come home with "notes" written on their hands and I would make them wash it off immediately. This would include (but not limited to) "TATTOOS". I just don't understand why anyone would ever purposely walk into a place where they stick needles in you and put a foreign substance under your skin. You may know that my dad has some tats from WAY back in his Navy days. They always made for good discussion, but I still thought it was a disgrace. So, now my daughter is about to marry a man that guess what.....HAS A TATTOO. God has such a sense of humor.

Now don't misunderstand me. I don't think it is sin or you go to hell or anything like that, I just believe the "ACT" of marking the biggest organ of your body is just plain dumb. I realize a whole a lot of smart people have tattoos and this is OK. But, I did start thinking about why people have them and how this ties into the whole "I DO" thing.

Tattoos are a way that people "self express". Folks get all sorts of things made into tattoos. Pets names, famous people's names, mother - in - law, favorite actor. I think if I was forced to get one I might have my credit score tattooed on my elbow. This way I could just roll up my sleeve when I applied for credit. 'Just a minute, I'll show you my Equifax"

So when you get married, what happens to "self expression"?

I mean does my wife really want to see the number 684 on my elbow every night?

The point here is not at all about tattoos. It's about the two becoming as one! Yes, there are two very different people. And each one brings unique traits that together God uses in wonderful ways. But what about the individual? Should couplesa husband or wife be allowed to "express" themseleves even if the other one does not agree? I have my answer, but I want to know what you "think about it".

Father of the Bride
married to the most beautiful Mother of the Bride

Is the wedding an "investment"?

ok, so unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know the talk is all about the economy and how bad things are. True, many people have lost hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in the stock market. So consider this. The stock market is a place (or institution) where you put your money hoping to profit from the companies you invest in when they make money. Most people have never spoken to any one who mangages or runs the business they invest in. They just park the money there because they think the comapny has a great idea or because of past history.
So historically, this is a good system. The stock market has returned at least 6 to 8 percent each year even factoring in the bad years such as the one we are seeing now. SO, people continue to invest.

No one in would even consider investing in a company if they KNEW that 50 percent of the companies would fail. Even if the return could possibly be huge, people just dont take a 50/50 chance with their hard erned cash.

So here's the part I want you think about.

On average, US couples spend $20,398 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $15,299 and $25,498 while their wedding budget is typically 50% less than the amount spent. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring.

Why do we spend so much money on a wedding, when we KNOW that more that half of all marriges end in divorce? I am not being a doomsdayer or am I saying that we should'nt have a great time celebrating the union of two people who are in love. Don't worry. We are planning to have it all! I am just putting this out here for discussion.

Think about it..! and comment if you wish

What am I doing writing a blog?

Ok, so here I am writing my first blog. A friend suggested that I try this and I thought she was dumb. But, the more I contemplated being able to write down a few thoughts, the more the idea appeared to have some merit. Now for those of you who know me, you understand that I am not always the best at communication. So to even consider putting something down that the has the potential to reach thousands is a very scary thing.
Now, what topic could I blog about anyway? I mean arent there already millions of blogs with just about any topic under the sun already being written? Well yea, duh. So I had an idea.
As you may know my daughter is tying the knot in December of this year. So how about a few thoughts each day from a Dad's perspective? This could be really fun and I potentially could get in a LOT of trouble. After all they (bride & groom) will have their PRE-marital counseling with "MY" pastor.
So sit back have some drpepper and make sure you check in here often. And PLEASE if you want leave comments.

Dad