About four years ago I was preparing to officiate my first wedding—a big deal, right? Standing up there and giving my blessing to this couple in front of all their friends and family? As I anxiously rehearsed what I wanted to say, my wife Crystal offered some classic advice. "Relax," she said. "You’re not important. No one listens to what the pastor says anyway—they're too busy looking at the couple." This "encouragement" slightly took the wind out of my sails, but I continued on and successfully played my non-important role in the background. Since then I've had the opportunity to officiate close to twenty weddings. I always really enjoy the opportunity to be involved with a couple on the day that they celebrate the beginning of a new life together. Lately, what's been really cool is catching up with these couples and seeing where they are at today—and meeting all of their children. Last Sunday alone I saw three of those couples, all as proud new parents of brand new baby girls, two-weeks, four-weeks, and eight-weeks old, respectively. Another two couples are expecting babies soon. I love the fact that couples at Mars Hill are getting married and starting families. We're working hard to reverse the infamous statistic; perhaps someday there will be more children than dogs in Seattle. Parents, grandparents, or someday-hopeful parents: I encourage you to check out the upcoming Biblical Parenting Conference, September 19–20 at most Mars Hill Church locations.