Influence

Merriam-Webster defines influence as "the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways."

Take a second and think about your life. Think about all the people you know. Think about those who are closest to you. And then think about some of the ways in which those people have influenced your life -- the way you think, your morals, your beliefs, how you dress, what music you listen to, the movies you watch, your passions, the activities you enjoy and the list goes on and on...

A wedding being a major event in one's life, you tend to think about these things in a more significant way than normal. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families and friends. In fact, one of the hardest parts about planning your wedding is picking the wedding party -- we both have friends and family that span so many years and "chapters" of our lives -- how can you possibly pick just a few to be involved?

Part of the answer lies in influence -- for those who have influenced our lives in the most significant and lasting ways are the ones who are ultimatley chosen to stand with you on one of the biggest days of your life.

Given that, we'd like to "introduce" you to our wedding party. Over the next 3 months we will post blogs -- one every week -- about each of those very special people in our lives.

And you were worried we wouldn't be able to come up with enough content on this blog to hold your interest until March!

Inspiration

'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

-Mark 10:7-9 (NIV)

And this speaks to a much bigger story than Angie and I.

For I am both a groom and part of His bride.

And Angie is both my bride and His.

love.

The Meeting of the Parents

October 6, 2007
This was a pretty big day in the immediate Hertlein and Mouer families. That's right...it was time for the parents to meet.

Angie's parents -- Lee and Beverly -- would travel from Frenchville (PA) to Hershey.

Troy's parents -- Rick and Debby -- would travel from Waynesboro (PA) to Hershey.

At 6:00 p.m., all would converge on Fiesta Mexico.

As you would suspect, everyone was feeling a bit nervous that day. Not that any of us actually thought there would be any problems; but its just that whole "meeting new people thing" and worrying about breaking the proverbial ice and carrying conversation.

Here's the play-by-play:

Troy's parents arrived a bit early and were seated prior to 6pm. Angie's parents arrived promptly at 6pm -- thankfully the PSU football game was already in progress and they were able to breeze through State College on their way to Hershey. We met Angie's parents outside and walked them into the table where Troy's parents were seated. What ensued were handshakes and a hug between our mothers. After which there was a bit of chit-chat, and then it was time to review the extensive menu -- a welcomed reprieve from the pressure of making conversation.

After the orders were placed, the talk changed naturally to wedding plans and such. Followed by talk of Rick & Debby's grandchildren, college football, our other family members, pets, baseball (Yankees v. Red Sox -- yikes!!), rubber plants, compliments on the food and atmosphere of Fiesta Mexico, Frenchville, and pretty much anything else normal people talk about!

After all plates were cleared and drinks re-filled one last time, Angie and Troy were able to sit back and finally relax as we watched our mothers discuss who knows what from across the round table, while our fathers discussed various aspects of their jobs. As it turns out, they work in similiar fields and were actually able to understand what each other do (although no one else does)!

From here on out, it should be pretty smooth sailing...

...as long as we can work out suitable

Thanksgiving and Christmas visiting schedules. :)