Sweet 16 and Every Day Kissed

Today is a day of reflection and celebration.  It was precisely 16 years ago this moment (as I type this) that a young(ish) 30 year old woman and her Mother, Sister and BFF were making their way to the hairdresser with flowing white veil in hand.  They laughed and chattered while Marilyn quickly made up these women into visions of beauty, not that they weren't already of course!

The young bride and her BFF were last to get their "do's" done and they made it back to the bride's parents' home just as the photographer arrived.  Literally jumping into her silk gown, the young bride started off her wedding day with a smear of lipstick on her otherwise pure dress.  Oopsie! (Is that some sort of good luck charm?)  Pictures were taken.  Memories were made.  It wasn't too long before the bridal party hopped into cars on their way to the church where the bride's Prince Charming awaited.

Upon arriving at the church, the bride was awakened to her tremendous fear of commitment but held gripped tightly to her Daddy's suit sleeve as she walked down the aisle to the strains of classical music she wore a plastered on smile while thoughts of becoming the Runaway Bride flashed in her brain.  All that ceased though, the minute the bride took the groom's hand and walked up the steps to the pastor.  Then, magically, as if no one else in the world existed, the bride promised her heart to the one who'd stolen hers only 10 months prior.

The young couple vowed to love, honor and cherish one another until death separated them.  Once their golden rings were firmly in place, the wedding license signed and the kiss that sealed the deal was placed gently upon one another's soft lips, the young couple began their descent down the church aisle as Mr. and Mrs.

With the guests gone, the gifts unwrapped and their tan marks (and allergic reaction to shell fish) from Aruba fading, the young couple settled into their new life together with all the hopes and dreams of every newlywed couple... babies.  But for this young couple, that dream wasn't to be.  The next decade would be filled with tears and frustrations, sickness and heartache, yet the young couple would not allow for any of that to break down the bond of love that God had placed within their hearts.  They were a team.  Through thick and thin, "sickness and health", "in good times and bad" they were determined to weather the storms of life... and they did.

Today, sixteen years later, the no-longer "young" couple are more in love than ever.  They have come to a peaceful place with their disappointments in the inability to expand their family.  They have instead chosen to embrace their family of two which allows them more time and energy to focus on their love for one another and extended family and friends.  They have treasured the life God gave them as a couple and don't look back on the "what might have beens" of  the past.

Today, the couple celebrate love and a life well lived together and they anticipate a bright and love-filled future all the while praising God for the gift of one another.

Happy Anniversary to my Sweet Hubby!  Thank you for the best 16 years of my life!  Can't wait for the next 16+.

Waiting at the back of the church with Dad

Phew... it's official!  We're Mr. & Mrs.!

Greeting guests in the Receiving Line

Mmm... sharing our first piece of the 

delicious cake my Mom made