I don't think you go be at one of these 'meant to be weddings' without thinking of your own wedding and marriage. I think about all the things they don't know about marriage, love, trust, faith. How they don't understand pain, happiness, loyalty, respect. I think how our wedding would be different if we were to do it all over again...today. You wouldn't pick people to stand next to you because they would look cute in the dress, or you've known them since elementary. You would pick the people who told you the truth, let you cry on their shoulder, shared mommy woes, encouraged you in your marriage. Not because they held your hair while you puked at a high school party. You wouldn't spend a million dollars on the ceremony, because after all, it's only one day and you have a lifetime to look forward to. You wouldn't be mingling with friends and friends of friends, you would be thanking the people who love and support you. You would hold each other's hand, dance and stare into each other's eyes.
Your vows would probably sound a little different too. I'm sure I would write my own. How else could I convey the words that are in my heart? Greatfulness, respect, trust, memories...these would be part of our vows. I think about the 'love' chapter in the bible (Corinthians) these words mean so much more now, than they did while standing at the alter 13 years ago. Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful; not conceited; does not act improperly; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will ease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know in part, as we prophesy in part. But when the perfect time comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known. Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Hmmm, sure makes you think. I once received some advice that sounded a little odd at the time. "Treat your spouse, and family, better than you would a stranger." Of course I treat them better than a stranger! I love them, I live with them, how silly. But years later, I understood the true meaning of that statement. We put our best foot forward everytime we leave our houses. Dress nicely, make up, hair. We smile to strangers, use our manners, make friendly conversation. We offer up our seat on the bus, let a mother with kids ahead of us in line to the bathroom. Then we get home. We take off our nice clothes, we snap that our husband is late. We rush through dinner. Get annoyed with the kids for needing help with their homework/chores. Are irritated that their dad isn't helping out more. Can't wait for everyone to go to bed so we can have some peace and quiet.....hmmm??? It clicked.
I love my husband more today than the day I married him. We have had our richers and poors, sickness and health, better and worse, and we are still here. More dedicated to our marriage today, than that sunny November day that we vowed to do those things. Please remember to love, trust, honor, respect, and sometimes; even obey. ;)
Wishing us all, long healthy happy marriages.
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