The last four days have been a blur--I was in two weddings, which means two preparations and two celebrations. Today, then, is one much-deserved relaxation. More than that, though, it's a chance to reflect on the meaning of what I was a part of.
I was blessed this weekend to witness two breathtaking ceremonies (one an intimate, candle-lit affair with more joy and love than I've ever felt before, the other a family and friend-filled union with laughter and fun) between four people I care about immensely. My best friend Leslie married the love of her life in a rather sudden but all-the-more perfect ceremony at their church in Columbus, Indiana Thursday night. I took a half-day at school so I could make it down in time to help her get ready, and I'd already taken Friday off to help bride number 2 (Alex) set up her reception site. Thursday, I stood next to Leslie, proud, in awe of the love she and Jared share, overjoyed that I could support them as they promised to love one another through sickness and health, and I felt God's presence like never before. He and his angels made this union possible; every detail fell into place, from the "wedding fairies" setting up the site and having a gorgeous cake made in one day to the dress shop letting Leslie in after hours to find a dress that made all of us gasp. Their wedding was a proclamation of pure love--they want nothing more than to be together and to enjoy every moment to its fullest. The bride and groom literally beamed the entire time, theirs the only dry eyes in the house, and just like the Grinch, everyone felt their hearts grow two sizes that day as we watched the Rudes become one. A doctor's visit with some scary news pushed the wedding date up, and that weighed on everyone, but the wedding itself was a celebration, and I don't think it could have been any more perfect. Leslie deserves someone to adore her, and Jared does just that. It's undoubtable that they were made for one another. When the pastor said, "May your sorrows be halved and your happiness doubled because you have each other" I was reminded of exactly why we marry. A spouse is the true meaning of a partner, and though there are no guarantees about how much time we have with those we love, marriage allows us to be joined as partners forever.
Alex and Ben's ceremony was perfect in a totally different way. They have been a solid couple in our group of friends for years, a constant at gatherings, vacations, parties. Zach and I met at their house, and without them our marriage and family wouldn't exist. Doc and Alex, as everyone calls them, are one of those couples who make it look effortless. They're comfortable. There's no drama, just a feeling of easiness. They are the best and most loyal friends we could have asked for, and we were honored to be a part of the Martinsen wedding par-tay.
The priest's words were, for lack of a better word, honest. He made me analyze how I approach my own marriage, and I was reminded of the fact that I made a promise to Zach when I said "I do." I don't get to quit when things get tough. I gave my word that I would work at this thing, that I'd be honest and forgiving and his partner even when I don't want to be. The priest said that in those moments when we question why we're married or how the union can continue we should realize that God is sending us a message that we need to reflect His love more in that moment. Every disagreement or lull in the romance is a chance for us to reassess how we contribute to or do a disservice to the partnership. I was struck by the honesty of the sermon and felt encouraged that it isn't always supposed to be perfect, but the love behind the marriage still is.
I'm left feeling grateful that I have found such a giving partner to share this life with, inspired to embrace the blessings of each day and focus on the positives, and humbled by the paths handed to us that we cannot understand. Love is priceless, and I want nothing more than for everyone I love to feel its power the way Jared, Leslie, Alex, and Ben now get to. Here's to their (and your) happily ever after.
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