As of this upcoming Sunday, Ethan and I will have been married for one year. One whole entire year! I feel like our wedding day was just yesterday, and yet I feel like I’ve been married five years. Cliché, I know. In light of the anniversary of our wedding, I thought I would share some wedding photos and share a few things I’ve learned this past year.
We got married in Western New York, where I’m from, even though we were both living in Texas by that time. We had our wedding at a local heritage museum, or as I like to call it, an “outside old buildings museum.” Either way, it was the perfect way to blend a church wedding with an outdoor wedding. We had the ceremony directly in front of a 19th century chapel, and the reception on the main lawns and gazebo of the museum. Things were far from perfect that day, but it’s in the past. It’s funny how at the end of the day, those little details I was freaking out about didn’t matter at all.
I wanted all the details to be laid back and “pretty.” I wanted everything to feel fresh and simple.
I loved these little window frames we used to hold childhood photos of Ethan and me. And I just love looking at baby Ethan pictures.
Our centerpieces were simple; a collection of books, mason jars, candles, and Baby’s Breath.
The gorgeous cake. It was delicious as it is beautiful. A woman from the church I grew up in made it, and I cannot tell you how much I adored this cake. It was everything I ever wanted!
Our reception was directly in front of the chapel. We had lights strung above the dance floor, and night fell at a perfect time.
My bridesmaids each picked out their own dresses. I absolutely loved the cohesive look.
So here I am, (almost) a year later still trying to figure out what it means to be married. Because sometimes I’m still convinced that the past year has gone by without me even realizing it. Have I really been married for a whole year? That’s crazy! There have a few things though that I’ve learned, despite how fast this year has flown by.
God has blessed us immeasurably.
We both had real grown up jobs before the wedding (I hadn’t officially started yet, but I’d been hired as a teacher starting about a month after we were married). We had a place to live, furniture in our house, food on our table, and a newly-purchased bed to sleep on. Sure, there have been late nights when all we could ask ourselves was what the heck are we going to do? Of course there have been those moments. When I measure those moments against all the victories we’ve faced in our marriage, I cannot deny that God has been there for us through and through. We haven’t had to struggle overmuch, and for that I am grateful.
Marriage is work.
Duh. As if anyone assumed otherwise. What I mean is that we’ve learned best by supporting each other, by being there for each other. At the end of the day, I listen (and I mean actually listen) to Ethan as he tells me about his day, and I know he’ll do the same for me. When Ethan has to work late (and I’m frustrated enough because I don’t get to see him all day), I have to remind myself that bringing him a hot meal at work will show him that I love him. Even if I really don’t feel like cooking, my husband is working hard to provide for us, and cooking some food and driving it to him is hardly a big deal. In my (way super limited) experience, love is actively doing something to serve my husband, knowing it means something to him.
I am not a perfect wife.
Another duh. While engaged, I had envisioned myself working hard each day, coming home to cook a full three course meal (which would be served at the table the moment Ethan returned from work), with dessert in the oven, all with an immaculate home. Big surprise! I was wrong! There are times that the clean clothes are on the bedroom floor for way longer than I’d like to admit, waiting to be put away. Sometimes I go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. And, gasp! There are days the bed goes unmade. I’m learning that I really don’t have to have it all together. I’m pretty sure nobody does anyway.
I have to pray. All the time. Seriously.
I thank God for my husband daily. I ask to God show me ways to demonstrate my love to my husband. How can I be a wife of noble character? How can I bring honor to my husband? I can support Ethan in prayer. I pray that his dreams come to fruition, and that I may have the wisdom to support him. I pray for our future, for guidance in situations that have yet to arise. I pray that Ethan will be able to lead me and our future children in the direction of Christ. I pray that we continue to serve Him in whatever He may ask us to do. Without prayer, I think marriage would be a bit more frustrating, and quite meaningless. I’m thankful for a God who has given us the gift of marriage, because that’s what it is, really. A sweet, precious, heavenly gift.
So overall, there may be a couple of things I’ve learned. I’m just glad I can keep on learning how this marriage thing works as we go. Thanks for letting me get a little personal today. I appreciate y’all. That’s all for today. Have a fabulous day, friends.
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