Twenty-six years ago I was anxiously getting
ready to try to sleep. I would be
walking down the aisle the next afternoon in front of about 300 guests to
promise my love to Jeff. I changed up
the tradition a little bit. I wore my
mom’s wedding gown at the rehearsal. It
was a knee length frock with a lace jacket.
I was happy to be able to use it in such a way to honor her, but be able
to have my own style at our wedding the next day. From what I can remember, the rehearsal went
well, the dinner was a tad rowdy and my nerves were swirling uncontrollably throughout
my body. Tonight, as I try to remember,
I smile. We've come a long way since
that night. We've become comfortable in
our individual skins as well as with one another—but not so comfortable as to
take one another completely for granted. We've had to work hard to be the couple we are, and it hasn't been
without struggles. But, each effort has
been worth it. Our love is strong, our
relationship blessed and our family a gracious gift. It’s been a great 26 years.
Dear Giver of Love, thank you for teaching
how to live and love, to be in relationships of all sorts, to trust and give
and experience life together. Amen.