It was a beautiful Saturday. Nothing at all wrong with the day. I remember waking up to find that my mom and aunt were already out and about on errands. The house was quiet, yet filled with anticipation. It was the last day I would spend as a single girl. I remember every thing I did being singed but that fact. The last breakfast I would eat as a single girl. The last shower as a single girl, the last time I would iron as a single girl, and on and on.
I remember it was the last time I got to spend quality time with my friend Thomas. He came over to wish me well on my big day, which happened to be his big day as well. As fortune would have it, although we had been really close friends only a few years before, once he meet his future wife, and I my, future sweetie, we drifted apart, connected only by a past friendship and the same wedding date. Thankfully we had different ceremony times, his at noon, mine at seven, so our mutual friends could attend both events that day. Unfortunately, that fact made it impossible for either of us to attend each other's ceremony. It was sweet to see him on my doorstep that Saturday morning. What a fun breakfast we had. A memory I treasure as he is now gone to glory.
I remember the excitement of all the plans coming to fruition. The small details falling into place. The bits and pieces of some other details falling apart - it wouldn't be a wedding without some drama, now would it?
My fingernails were always strong and seemingly unbreakable, and they had been grown out and manicured for the event. Imagine my horror as one of them decided to pick this day to break - at the quick. I had no real experience in this area as it has never happened before, so I took out the super glue and glued my fingernail back into place. Unfortunately I also super glued by index finger and thumb together as well. It is a lovely wedding day memory!
My greatest excitement was anticipating the joy on my soon to be new husband's face. Not as he saw me walk down that aisle, but as he was handed the keys to a stunning '57 Chevy Bel Air, on loan for us to make our honeymoon getaway. He was and is a classic car nut - the thought that he was going to be surprised in this way, made me want the ceremony and reception over with quickly.
I remember the last drive in our family car to the church and into my new life. It seems like just yesterday. Before I knew it, the moment had arrived. I remember standing in the doorway, the music starting, the walk down that aisle... it is vivid in my heart and mind today, sixteen years later.
I am lucky to have this man of mine. He is handsome, complicated, strong, hard-working and sweet. He can make me smile, even on the grayest of days. Of the two of us, I am the luckiest, as he has a lot to put up with from me-- it seems I am his complete opposite in many ways. He is quiet, I am loud, he is thrifty, I am a shopper, he dislikes crowds and parties, I live for them. He loves old cars, I love the new ones. His is an outside kinda guy, I am content inside reading a book.
But as luck would have it, we do have some things in common. We like the same music, the same vacation spots, the same foods, we have the same values and goals and as luck would have it, we both adore our daughter. We share our faith in our Lord, love of our families and dedication to each other and our life together.
Yes, sixteen years is a long time. A lot can happen. People can change and grow and sometimes break apart. I am just so glad that when I look beside me, he is still there. Just like he was when we ran out of that church and into that old car and our new life together all those years ago.
Happy Anniversary Honey - I love you!
Beverly
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