I remember the day Ron and I were married. We went to Hocking Hills in southern Ohio. We had both been married before and we weren't concerned with making it a huge ceremony. We wanted it to be for us and for our kids to see how much we meant to each other.
It was a really dreary weekend in May. It rained all weekend and we were to get married on Sunday at Old Man's Cave. We were starting to get worried about all the rain and if we were going to be able to get married outside. We had been camping since Friday with the kids and all of our stuff was wet and soggy and cold. They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, right? That's what I kept telling myself anyways.
My mom and sister and Ron's parents came down for the ceremony on Sunday. The plan was for them to take the kids back home and we would stay one more night alone before returning home on Monday. I just kept worrying about the rain....
About two hours before we were to get married, the sun started to show itself. It was the first time in three days that we had seen some sunshine. We headed to Old Man's Cave and we were going to walk back to the cave to get married. The trail leading back to the cave is paved so we didn't have mud to contend with. Thank God! As I started to look around, I noticed that all of the trees and their leaves were glistening with the rain drops that were still clinging to them. It was so beautiful! The waterfall, which usually is just a drip at that time of year, was actually coming down at a nice stream. We were married in front of the waterfall, with our families there, in the sunshine. I can still remember how fresh everything smelled that day. It was perfect!
That was nine and a half years ago. Ron and I have been through a lot of difficult situations in those years. Life has dealt us some blows. We have lost grandparents, we have had illnesses and surgeries (ourselves and with family), we have been financially strapped, we have had issues with our ex-spouses, we now have three teenagers in our household. Enough said.
Through all of these times we have always stayed strong together. He is truly the love of my life and my best friend. He makes me laugh everyday with his sense of humor. He melts my heart when he looks at me and smiles. He is the person I want to grow old with.
I guess in writing this, I just wanted to say, that no matter what type of wedding you have, the most important part is who you are marrying, not the details of the day. Your wedding day is only the beginning. It is the day your marriage starts. It is the start of your life together and nothing can beat a good, strong marriage. It doesn't matter what is thrown at you. If you are there for each other, you can conquer anything life throws your way.
Last night at the wedding, I could see how much Justin and Julia are in love. My hope for them is that they keep that love and happiness with each other, even through the tough times. I hope they are as happy ten years down the road in their marriage, as I am in mine today.
Congratulations Justin and Julia!
What a beautiful entry, Pam. I too remember your wedding day,and I truly believe that you and Ron were meant for each other. I know you have a lot of day to day struggles, but you realize that your love for each other will bring you trough them. I love you, and I love Ron like a son. I am so happy that the two of you are together and that your marraige is even stronger as a result of your relationship with Christ. Remember what the Bible says, " Through Him all things are possible. "
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom