Today marks 14 years that my sweetheart and I have been married. He's my best friend and the only one who puts up with my many faults on a daily basis. After everything we went through in the four years leading up to our wedding day, I knew that if we had made it past that we'd stick by each other for a lifetime.
I remember it like it was yesterday...
My mom woke me up the morning of April 29, 1995 with breakfast in bed and the gift of my grandmother's diamond earrings. It had been a late night - after getting home from the rehearsal dinner and being too excited to sleep - I was pretty tired. We both got ready and headed over to my maid of honor's house where she and my matron of honor (yes I had both) were throwing me a shower with all the other bridesmaids, their moms, the grandmas and extended female family. We had a great time laughing and opening gifts but I was too nervous to eat much.
At lunch time Rex was over at his best man's house with the other groomsmen, dads, grandpas and extended male family. He was being given a tool party and cookout. Mine was a brunch 'cause it takes us girl's longer to get ready. Afterwards we all headed over to the salon to have our hair done. Just the girls by the way in case you were wondering.
We had arranged for the photographer to do all separate wedding party pictures before the ceremony so it wouldn't take us so long to get to the reception and so that we wouldn't see each other beforehand. This worked out great but it meant getting to the church a few hours earlier. Because I hadn't eaten much that morning I was getting pretty hungry, the wedding wasn't until 5:00, so I have video of me standing there in my wedding dress eating a hamburger and big cookie. What a sight!
It was a beautiful wedding. The sanctuary was filled with candlelight and flowers. I selected lots of music and solos - you know my love for music! I'm a big fan of The Sound of Music so I chose to use the Wedding March that Maria walks down the aisle to. Gorgeous, rich organ music filled the sanctuary. Just thinking about it gives me chills. I even recorded a song that played while we lit the unity candle. I knew I wouldn't be able to sing it live so I borrowed the idea from my friend/matron of honor. It was such a great day we decided to do it all again!
That's right, we had a vow renewal ceremony for our 10th anniversary. Same church (were I grew up), same flowers (they were silk), and same people - only there were fewer this time, just the original wedding party and our families. It was much less expensive too!
It's almost unbelievable the many things we've experienced as a married couple. Life, death, schedules, car accidents, travel, jobs, moving, school, surgeries... the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thanks babe for choosing me to go through life with. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless us and grow us closer to one another. I love you. Happy 14th Anniversary!
You know what? I'd still do it all again.
