Today is the second time in the past month that I witnessed two people unite in Holy Matrimony. I didn’t have to know them to know they are madly in love. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything like it. They way they looked at each other through the entire ceremony with beaming smiles was beautiful. They were in that moment together, just thrilled to start their lives as husband and wife. During the blessing of the hands, I couldn’t help but notice the way they embraced each other – as though they were the only two in the room. It was moving.
The last of my high school girlfriends to get married, this bride really did it right. She waited. She dated. And she found THE ONE. Like most 30-year-old women, I have been to many weddings in the past ten years. And this union was the most inspiring of all.
Young women tend to get all caught up in the details of the day. (I realize that this doesn’t apply to all women, but c’mon – there’s a multi-billion dollar industry out there because what I’m saying is true for many.) They plan and plan and plan and they throw a fabulous party. But often, a witnessing guest might notice something is missing in that day – the love. The happiness you see on the newlyweds’ faces is simply just a high from the day – from the excitement. But not true for today’s newlyweds. The love I saw in this bride and groom today was magical.
Unlike some divorcees, I have not been scorned. I hope to wed again someday. I believe in Holy Matrimony. I believe that God intends for us to make a life with a partner and share love and joy with each other forever. Having done it wrong once myself, however, I am skeptical of many couples who take that walk down the aisle. Sometimes, you can just see it. They aren’t there for the right reasons. I did that — I married for the wrong reasons. I looked pretty. The ceremony was fairytale-like. The party was a blast! But if anyone had stepped back and really paid attention to the couple on that day, they would have seen it. While saying our vows, we were guarded; the love did not show. Someone might have noticed that we didn’t spend more than five minutes together at the reception. And no one would have known that I came out of the bathroom of the honeymoon suite in my wedding nightgown to a passed out groom that night.
Seeing my friend marry her best friend and true love for all the right reasons was refreshing. And now, I’m off to CELEBRATE THAT BEAUTIFUL COUPLE!!
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Great Post! I, too, have seen that love in some couples. They just beam of happiness and joy. I’ve also seen the couples that just go through the motions. As I have got older and wiser, I have learned to pay more attention to how a couple looks at each other as time goes on. The love should grow, not diminish.
This is lovely. I love the fact that you haven’t lost your faith in true love. I’m only 19 and have never been to a wedding (except when I was very small), but I guess I too have dreams of getting to see true love someday- be it my own or somebody else’s. In today’s world, when there is so much hatred, we need to see every little bit of love we can.
I LOVE THIS!!! I haven’t been jaded by my divorce, either. I believe in true love and partnership and marriage. I just didn’t get it right the first time around. And I knew it. Cheers to true love!
Penelope – I’m so glad to hear that you were not jaded either. If it’s not too personal to ask, are you in a relationship now? How would you describe the difference in your heart now compared to when you were with your ex? This is something I think about often — about how naive I was the first time around. I’d love to hear more about your story!
Lauren- I’m actually not in a relationship. I’ve definitely done some dating but I just haven’t had that deep connection I’m looking for yet. I trust that when the timing is right and the person is right…it’ll happen! I am going to have to meet a pretty amazing man to introduce him to my son
My heart, however, is still in a much, much better place. I feel really blessed that my ex and I have been able to create a new relationship together- one that focuses solely on the best interests of our son.
It is decidedly better to be alone and doing it well than to be in a relationship with a man I just wasn’t in love with. I was only 21 when I got married and I see now that I was so very young and naive. While I wish I didn’t have a divorce in my past, I have an incredible son and I know myself so much better now!
At the moment I’m intentionally single. Not pursuing anyone, but not totally closed off to the opportunity either. I have a solid sense of self this time around and it will happen when it is supposed to!
It’s funny how better prepared we are to find the right mate after having the courage to move on from the wrong one. Kudos to you for not settling. Don’t you just love the journey of discovering your sense of self? I have a new-found passion for life – something that was missing during my married days. And with a better idea of who I am and what I want out of life, I’ve been able to recognize the keeper that I’ve found. Sounds like you are taking your time, which is awesome. The one who compliments you perfectly will come along!
I was 23 when I married, but I had been dating my ex since 18. As a kid, I decided who to spend the rest of my adult life with. Oops! I’m sure you can relate. Married at 23, baby at 26, divorced at 28. But we’re all better off for it. I like to say that the three of us are happy apart, together.
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