Well, today is the day. I've been married 10 years! This morning, 10 years ago, I was waking up on a perfect Spring morning, ready to be a bride. I lounged in the bath and tried to stay calm. (What if my dress is tight at last nights dinner?!?) I ate breakfast, and tried to stay calm. (Why didn't I get my hair highlighted last week?!) I got ready with my sisters and tried to stay calm. (Oh no! I forgot to pack my bridal jewelry!) Minutes before I was about to drive to the ceremony, I ceased being calm and started to freak out. (What if this backup photographer doesn't do a good job? The cake isn't going to be on time! Where are we going to get a last minute cake???) My mom calmly got me into the car and we drove the 5 minutes to the Spokane Temple. Shane wasn't there and I continued to freak out. (Quiet hyperventilating, but still freaking out.) Then I saw Shane walking up the steps in his black suit and all was right and perfect. It was the most wonderful day of my life.
The longer I'm married, the more this truth solidifies in my mind. Getting married is the biggest decision you will ever make. It is a much bigger deal that we can ever realize before actually making that choice. It is huge. Enormous. I've spent a lot of time with brides, from being a florist, photographer's assistant and working as a bridal consultant. If I could go back I would tell each of them the same thing. The wedding is just one day. Just one. The marriage is the part you need to be thrilled about. If it isn't, think really hard before you go through with it. This man will be part of every aspect of your existence. He will be the one constant in a world of change. Your greatest creations will be half of him. His happiness will be your new purpose in life. And your happiness the new purpose of his. This is not a decision to make lightly or quickly. Not a decision to make because you want something sparkly on your finger, that white dress or just to finally be a "Mrs".
As I wrote in my letter to my children:
Find the right spouse. Nothing in your life can bring as much joy, or sorrow, as the spouse you choose. When you marry someone, you are tethered to them. Your lives are the same. Find someone who brings light and love into your life. Find someone who is always kind to you. Someone who is kind to others. Who makes decisions based on your needs. Find someone you love to be around so much it hurts when they are away. Find someone who understands you need time for yourself as well. Find someone who shares your faith. Stay away from anyone who demeans or belittles you or doesn't understand your worth. Stay away from anyone lazy. Stay away from anyone who spends beyond their means. Stay away from anyone with addictions. ---- Don't rush. Don't let the excitement blur your vision of who someone really is. Take your time choosing this person. Get to know them. Live enough of your life to know what type of person you are looking for. And above all else, be the kind of person the man/women of your dreams would choose. - I married the man of my dreams, and other than having children, it is my greatest accomplishment.
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Everyday I thank God that somehow, and the tender age of 23, I was able to choose someone like Shane. And that, for some inexplicable reason, he chose me as well.
Happy 10 Year Anniversary Sweetheart. I love you forever.
11 comments:
Congratulation, Natalie.
10 Years is a BIG DEAL!!!!
My husband was late to the temple too. He is never late for anything, and then on our wedding day he wasn't there, his bishop was, I was, my family was and he was not. I totally thought he changed his mind.
Thankfully he did show up and could see how scared I was and made it all better, he has been doing that for 17 years this Aug.
Happy anniversary! 10 years is such a milestone!
Happy Anniversary! I love the picture of you two!
Congrats to you, Shane and Natalie! 10 years is quite the accomplishment. I love your advice to your children on choosing a spouse. I want to cut and paste it and give it to mine. A happy marriage is such a wonderful thing. I'm glad I have one too.
Make your own damn sandwich.
Marrying you was the best decision I ever made. And it's reaffirmed the longer we're together. At the time, I wasn't quite so articulate in my qualification requirements, I just knew that you exceeded all of them. I didn't realize at the time how far you surpassed them. It's a terrible injustice that someone as incredible as you has to be bound to me, but for me it's a gimme of cosmic proportions. I'll work hard for the rest of our life together to keep you convinced that I'm good enough for you.
Now go make me a sandwich.
What an awesome post! I loved it! You know just how to say things. Congrats on 10 years! BTw your wedding photo is amazing! Love it!
You can make your own damn sandwich sweetie.
shane's comment was awesome. as was your response. love you guys!
Congrats! Love the post! You do have a way with words! Love you guys!!!
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