weddings + ode to marriage

In LaFuze fashion I am behind in posting this, but we also jetted from one trip to another.  After we debarked our cruise on Friday morning, we gassed up, and hit the road for Big Bear to attend Daniel's cousin's wedding.  We don't like wasting any time!  This was actually my first time going to Big Bear (and I feel so crazy saying that since we are only 2 1/2 hours away).  What a gorgeous, quaint, lovely town filled with character, charm, and beautiful views.  The weddings was held at an estate and we stayed with family two doors down in a barn house.  Our weekend was filled with large family breakfasts, people sprawled everywhere, setting up for the rehearsal dinner, preparing to move the wedding due to a lovely little thunder storm, strolling in The Village, and of course so much laughter and love that your heart felt like it grew two sizes in everyone's presence. 

Weddings have a way with me.  It never fails that as soon as the wedding march begins, those tear ducks just burst open, and the sentiments keep rolling.  This ceremony was a bit nontraditional, as the bride walked down to Led Zeplin, but the sentiments remained.  Tear-strewn vows were lovingly stated, and it just reminded me how much love two people really have for one another.  I remember saying my vows with uncontrollable shaking hands, the tears that burst the minute it was time to walk down the isle, and the head tilted smile I gave my husband at our first glance through the "walk".  

Daniel's grandparents stole the show during the reception during the dance to see which couple has been married the longest.  As the DJ kept calling out years, this kept raising a thumb telling him to go higher, until he finally reached it...56!  They have been married 56 years.  And to this day, it just blows me away.  Such love.  Coming from a family sewn together through the divorces, it is always an encouragement to see marriage live.  The see love live.  To see two people love each other so much that they will love for better or worse.  Marriage is a beautiful thing, and what makes it that way are couples who are a testament to the faith and dedication it takes to make it work.  Because there will be hard times.  There will be many "sorrys".  But for every sorry there is I forgive you.  Weddings have a way of reminding me that it isn't about the small things, the things we wish our husbands would remember (putting their socks in the clothes hamper :) )...marriage is about LOVE.  And I love my husband with a deep passion that continues to grow more and more each day.  It always seems to catch me off guard to think that we have been together for almost 10 years now, that we are having a baby, that our marriage is about to take on different obstacles, and that we have gotten through the sorry and I forgive you, and will go through 100's more.  Marriage is sacred, and I hope that one day my children will be looking at us in awe as we dance away while the DJ keeps calling higher numbers for the years we have been married.  I want my marriage to be a testament to the love and respect that marriage is, and that my husband knows how grateful I am for such a God-loving husband.