11 years ago today I was living one of the most perfect days of my life. Most wedding days have one fiasco or another to overcome, but somehow, for us, the stars aligned, and everything went off without a hitch--except the one we wanted. The weather was gorgeous and crisp, the decorations at the reception were elegant but modest, everyone was cheerful, no one forgot rings or licenses, the photographer was pleasant and there was much love in the air. I was amazed. Our courtship had not been so smooth, and there had been many moments that I felt panicked that I was about to make an eternal commitment to a being separate from myself, over whom I had no control, in whom I would put implicit trust with no guarantee of the consequences besides his word that he would take the same chance on me. But here, at the end and beginning of it all, everything felt right, and the world was at peace.
And here we are, 11 years, 4 kids, and 9 homes later, still working on being better people and better partners, and very much still in love. Today I celebrate not only my marriage, but the institution itself. In a world where the very concept of marriage is becoming passé, I still believe in it, and the kind of love and loyalty that lasts forever. Is it easy? No. Is it possible? YES! Is it worth all the hard work, and tough times, and the sacrificing, and apologizing, and forgiving, and the patience, and the believing in each other? A thousand times, yes.
Happy anniversary to my best friend. Long live marriage!
What a beautiful post, Rachel! Many happy returns of the day to you & Dallyn!
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