Anyway, enough about me here's the reading about someone else.
If you asked me what makes a perfect marriage, I would answer ‘I have no idea.’ I know what’s perfect for me and my wife. I know what annoys her, I know what makes her cry. But would any of my good and not so good times have any relevance to my sister I wondered?
Today is such a special day. It’s the culmination of weeks of planning, organising and making sure everything is just right.
But what happens after the last glass of wine is drunk and the last car disappeared from view? Leaving just the two of you. What happens then? What’s the difference between being together and being married?
I guess, for me, marriage is about moments. Moments of heartbreaking beauty. Moments of breathtaking tranquillity. Of course, it’s not all plain sailing. There are and will be real challenges to you both. Moments when you feel like the whole world has conspired against you, where you can’t see what’s right in front of your face, let alone what’s happening in the distance. Moments where you will feel let down, disappointed and angry.
One thing I realised was that for every negative there was always a ray of sunshine desperate to break through the thinnest of clouds. The hard times never last, they are there to show you something about yourself. To allow you to grow. A gift, from you to you. The trick is remembering that, when the storm is swirling around you.
So what is marriage? I guess it is the simple statement made before friends and family of your love for one another. It is also a lifetime of growing with the one person who will make you laugh, make you cry.
Surprise you, annoy you.
Comfort you in tough times, drive you so crazy you shout to the heavens.
Heal old wounds, open new ones.
They will kiss you tenderly, hug you deeply, turn to you when no one else will listen.
They will walk with you for the rest of your life, physically and spiritually.
Marriage is simply, a magnificent, intimate, extraordinary, glorious and wondrous journey.
One my sister and Gary are about to embark on.
I wish you both, with all my heart, the most wonderful of voyages.
