"...to take you as my awfully wedded husband...."I was a teenager when I said those words 28 years ago today. It was on a Friday, too. Five o'clock in the afternoon to be exact. We showed up at the JP's house rather unprepared. No wedding ring, no camera. We did have a best man (aged 77) but no maid of honour because we didn't know we needed one. By the time I stumbled over my vows we dared not look at one another for fear of dissolving into never ending laughter. Half an hour later we were sitting drinking wine with our best man in a restaurant (the maid of honour turned out to be the JP's daughter, the only other person available on such short notice. I've often wondered how confused she must have been to be called out of her bedroom to witness a wedding just before suppertime.)
This week at work a student asked me how we made it through the hard times, how we kept together this long. I looked at her and said, "Faith." She gave me the most puzzled look and when I tried to explain she looked even more puzzled. How does one explain that in order to get through the rough patches together we had to turn to a power greater than ourselves? That on our own steam we were a mess and without faith in a higher power we didn't have a hope in hell of beating the odds? And that that faith gave us the courage to look at the hard stuff and do the work while leaning mightily on grace and mercy and compassion. The phone rang while I was trying to explain my explanation so we never did finish our conversation. I think she was as relieved as I was for the interruption.
The other day I drove past the JP's house just so I could show it to my daughter-in-law. The little brick house on the corner with its blue shuttered windows looks the same as it did that Friday in 1982 when I got the words "awful" and "lawful" mixed up.
16 comments:
Happy anniversary!
Your story made me think of meetings, and how people sometimes say the wrong words while reading the just for todays, steps and traditions. Sometimes what they actually say is more interesting and revealing than the words they intended.
I'm glad you weren't "awfully wedded" as it turned out.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you both!
I've had 3 marriages without a higher power in the middle, and it's no wonder they ended. It warms my heart to hear your success story. Blessing and wishes for many, many more!
What an absolutely beautiful post.
I couldn't agree with you more. Faith - God - has to be in the middle of the marriage relationship or weathering the tough times can be almost impossible.
Those of us who have that "God in the middle of the marriage" relationship are blessed.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU, HOPE, AND YOUR WONDERFUL HUSBAND.
PG
Beautiful, funny post, and so true. Thanks for this.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary you awfully wedded couple...LOL!
What a great post and beautifully shared.
Thank you,
G
Happy Anniversary!!!
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
first, Happy Anniversary
Second, thank you!
THis is such a beautiful thing to see a living example that such a word as "faith" does have an existence.
Mercy, grace, and faith make a good marriage. I don't think it's something we can tell a person who hasn't experienced it. How does trust in God get you through a bitter argument (we've had a few of those)? How is forgiveness possble if he is a total butthead? Couples who have walked through this know exactly what you mean. Happy anniversary!
First you had me laughing, then all mushy, then laughing again. Saved by the bell...Aw man she wanted the easy magic wand answer! LOL!
Congratulations to you and your husband today Hope!
And thanks for making me grateful for God in my marriage today, what a miracle!
Happy Anniversary (a little belated)
Well done, Hopester! A very Happy Anniversary to you both!
Happy Anniversary to you both. :)
Mich
Happy (late) anniversary to you! Isn't it amazing what faith can do?
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