Well, if it's any comfort, I wrote them down while blinking rapidly. I had a sudden vision of everyone on the board with their arms outstretched bracing everyone else.

It sure feels that way to me. With special thanks to the B's who reached out to me recently. Heartbreakingly kind.

Tep, the very strongest, courage and peace ~ma coming to everyone connected to the Mom of the Boy. What a loving family.

Yeah, Tep, that's beautiful AND horrible. Good thoughts for everyone.

Tep, your Boy is a rock, and it's wonderful you can be one for him.

sj, from experience, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about eloping. No planning angst, no quarrels, no decisions, no placating factions, just you and your beloved and a benevolent officiant, and a hotel full of fondly disposed staff. Bliss. Put all that dress, venue, flower and refreshments money toward a house down payment, or a fabulous honeymoon.

Send announcements after the fact. Let friends and rellies throw you a reception and/or shower(s).

I hand-wrote announcements on high quality notecards, and people seemed to appreciate the personal touch. Of course, H left for basic training right after the honeymoon, so I had the time, it gave me something to do, and I couldn't cry because I'd smirch the ink.

But! I wholeheartedly endorse the elopement plan.

You, The Boy and his family are in my thoughts, Tep. And you are being amazing. I'm glad you are letting us support you a little.

Boy is a rock. But he might not be able to be one if you were not there to be a rock for him.

I'm glad the Boy's mother is in her own home, surrounded by loved ones. And I'm glad the Boy has you there for him, Steph.

sj, from experience, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about eloping. No planning angst, no quarrels, no decisions, no placating factions, just you and your beloved and a benevolent officiant, and a hotel full of fondly disposed staff. Bliss. Put all that dress, venue, flower and refreshments money toward a house down payment, or a fabulous honeymoon.

At least this way we're making everyone unhappy equally.

I recommend trying not to overthink or stress out about the elopement- pretty much nullifies the whole point of the thing... You can always do the Jon and FAQ Wife special- hit the city hall and have an awesome dinner afterward!

There are no rules. There is no wrong way to do it.

t insert smiley emoticon here

At least this way we're making everyone unhappy equally.

Well, the point of it is to make YOU happy. AMIRITE?

I'm not sure what happened, but in the span of an hour, The Boy called and said his brother would be staying tonight so I could just come out there and pick him up (his car is at the hospital), and then called back a while later and said no, he needed a bag, he was going to stay after all.

I don't know if his mom is about to die, or his brother couldn't stay (he lives ~1 hr away), or both. Anyway, I'm about to head out there with a bag for him.

Thanks SO MUCH for the good thoughts and the prayers. I believe they help.