Fourteen years in the making

On this day, fourteen years ago, Shane and I stood in the most beautiful gardens, with family and friends gathered around, and were married.
Our invitations said, "today I marry my best friend."

A year of planning went into one day.  Hair was done, nails polished, tuxes fitted and flowers arranged. Shane and I wrote our own vows and we each sang a song to each other. A lot of care and attention went into that ceremony.

Funny how, as brides, we plan and plan and plan for the "big day," but most of us do very little to prepare beyond the "I do's." I will admit, I went into marriage having no earthly idea of what those vows would really mean.  I wasn't ready for the stuff of life that would test the commitment between Shane and I.

Really, if I must be honest, fourteen years ago, the vows meant more to Shane than me. I was enamored by the beauty of the ceremony.  Shane was looking at me thinking he now had to take care of someone other than himself. 

But now, fourteen years later, I can say, "I do" with confidence. Fourteen years have taught me what it means to devote and commit your life to someone else.  And not just pledging to be faithful and "stick it out" till the end, but agree that you don't have to do life alone. That truly, marriage is a partnership and a team. That means we work together for a common purpose.  I know that my little bride mind didn't comprehend that fourteen years ago.

But after our marriage sustained a brief seperation, financial ruin, a miscarriage, two job layoffs, three different business, one major illness, four different criminial court cases - one resulting in almost a year in prison and countless other little life annoyances, we have arrived and survived. 

And today, Shane and I will stand before my pastor, his wife and two witnesses to declare those vows once again to each other. It is just an intimate thing...no family, no fanfare.  The first time was the time for flowers and cake and music.  This time, after all the scars, the bumps and bruises that fourteen years has left us with...this time, it will be about the vows, the commitment, the love, the common vision and goal to build a life together, being a team that takes the world by storm and conquers it for the Kingdom. 

I can say for sure that fourteen years ago, I had no idea what marriage really meant.  But fourteen years has been a lesson in love.  I'm not perfect and neither is Shane.  We're just perfect for each other and because of the love and grace of God, that makes it bliss.