Linda and I just returned from a two day trip to Louisville, KY where I was privileged to officiate the wedding ceremony for a special couple. Diedra Dawn Adkins (no relation) was just a young teenager when I was first called to serve Wayside Baptist Church about 21 years ago. She was the oldest of three Adkins children there at Wayside. Dee, her younger sister Katie, and brother David and her mother, Juanita, were some of the most faithful members of that small congregation. In the first service of my pastorate there I remember that Dee sang "El Shaddai" and did an excellent job. She was a likable young girl. Now she is the wife of David Wayne Handy. May they live happily ever after.
Dee moved to Louisville not long after high school graduation and has worked hard to make a way for herself in that city. She had held a number of jobs ranging from an Emergency Medical Technician to working with "at risk" children, and teaching classes at Fort Knox and at other government sites. It was in the performance of her duties that she became acquainted with David, who is a mechanic with the Kentucky Army National Guard. He is a fine young man who has already pulled two tours of duty in Iraq. He and Dee are deeply in love and are devoted to each other. Their personalities mesh well together and they and their many friends and colleagues seem to have a special relationship.
The outdoor wedding was held at a beautiful park called Farnsley-Moorman Landing on the banks of the Ohio River just past the southwest corner of Louisville. The weather was great. Temperatures were in the 80's under the bright sun but the constant breeze along the river made the conditions perfectly comfortable.
It was good to spend some time again with Juanita, her kids and their spouses. David, who we called "Yogi" back in Little League and his wife Rachel were there with their lovable chubby little 7 month old son, Ethan. Sister Katie who has recently earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy was there with her family as well. It's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I "tied the knot" between Katie and David Rollins at Ashland Baptist Church! I could hardly believe how their beautiful daughters, Hannah and Lexi have grown. Time passes so quickly...
I asked one of the girls how Juanita was going to differentiate between the three when she calls son David Adkins, or sons in law, David Rollins and David Handy. Three Davids in one family! Dee said that for her, her brother would be "Yogi", her brother in law, would be "Dave" and the new husband would simply be "David". Juanita says that it will really be convenient for her as she ages.
"Only one name to remember", she said with a smile.
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