"……to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…"
When my Husband proposed to me, in the car, on that wet and rainy day in December 2007, I had absolutely no idea how much my life would change from thereon.
I had no idea that through spending 15 months planning a wedding, that I would discover a passion for writing. I had no idea in researching all those wedding forums that I would end up making so many new connections with so many lovely people. And I had absolutely no idea that two years later, I would be sat here, working for myself, owner of a successful wedding blog and inspiring countless numbers of other Brides.
But most of all, I realise looking back now, that I had absolutely zero idea just how marriage would impact on my life.
I recall people asking 'so, how is it being a Wife then??', and I would reply 'no different! We're just the same, we're just married now!'. But I was wrong. From the moment I uttered my vows on Friday 20 March 2009, my world changed. I don't really think I realised any of this until these past few weeks, when things have gotten a little tough…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2009, Karen McGowran
You see, I'm really a pretty regular kind of girl. I fall out with my Husband at times just like the rest of us do. In fact, it's been pretty challenging of late; I've barely stopped working since my beautiful little Leanora was born, prematurely, back in September. I lost my dear Grandma in March, and I recently became self-employed and am adjusting to the whole new set of daily pressures and demands that being your own boss working form home presents you. Did I mention that I've developed a bit of an incurable blogging dependency too? 😉 And then there are the usual daily pressures to meet in amidst the blood-shot, sleep deprived waking hours; the school run, cleaning, tidying, walking dogs, paying bills, 12 months of neglected business accounts to process, invoices, trying to be the best Mother, Wife, Friend, Daughter, Sister and of course, somewhere in between all that, Blogger! And for my life, I have TRIED, but I just cannot cook. I tell you, it's a concoction worthy of the most monumental marital bust-up – even for the most easy-going of us…!
I don't want to alarm you. All is good and well at Chez Love My Dress. But as my beautiful best boy and I progress through our 11th year together and as I reflect on over 2 years of marriage so far, I've come to realise just how very precious those vows I uttered 2 Years, 2 Months and 28 Days ago have come to be. I'm 36 years old and my marriage is still in it's infancy, but believe me, Phil and I have had our fair share of challenges to test the strength of our nuptials so far.
I meant every word I said back in March 2009 as I stared at my Husband, tears in his eyes, but I truly don't think I've come to realise the weight and meaning of my marriage vows or the strength of resolve they reflect in the relationship I have with my Husband, until very recently. Those vows I made serve as my moral, spiritual and marital health compass and remind me that my marriage and indeed our lives together will always be so much better, for stopping to contemplate the promises and commitment we made, for putting aside differences, disagreements, stress, grudges, misunderstandings, anger, frustration, upset and all the rest to focus on a more positive, peaceful way forward. They keep me on track when it all get's a bit much.
A way forward that can work no matter what life throws at you, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
I had no idea how much my life would change on getting married, but change it has, and in so many positive, deep, meaningful and almost indescribable ways. I value my marriage and those vows we exchanged two years ago more than I think I realise myself.
Brides – why don't you consider taking time to create some of your own personal vows to exchange on your wedding day? Those words you speak with your soon-to-be-Husband will be words you will reflect back on for a long time to come – they will represent the strength of union between you. Use the opportunity to write words that reflect how you truly feel for one another – and TELL each other! Never will there be a more perfect opportunity to show just how very much you love your own beautiful boy 🙂
I was going to blog a wedding this afternoon, but then something urged me to share something a little more personal. I hope that's OK with you 🙂
I also hope you are all having a lovely Friday and are looking forward to a lovely weekend, whatever you are up to :) We're all looking forward to family time and, hopefully, a little grown-up romance too 🙂
I'd love to get some feedback – what do marriage vows mean to you? Are you, or did you write your own special vows to share on your big day?
Much love,
Annabel xXx
♥
