Celebrating 20 Years – of Marriage, Not Blogging

Today is my 20th wedding anniversary. Indulge me — won’t you — as I wax a little nostalgic? This girl needs to celebrate every tiny thing. And, a big one now and then too.

I’d forgotten that we used the following passage from a poem read at the wedding on our invitations. It’s called How Will I Know You? by Meryl Fishman. Considering all the worry and stress in recent years, it feels even more fitting.

I will look at you and see the strength

I have never seen before.

And I will see the sensitivity that

Will be a partner to that strength

And I will be become encircled in your glow

And thus will we walk together always

You probably won’t be surprised to know that I wrote our entire wedding ceremony because I wanted to be sure certain things were said (and not said). For example, before we exchanged our vows, the minister / officiant shared our promises …

Not only to seek, but to find

Not only to find, but to accept

Not only to accept, but to rejoice

In all that we are and become together

I promise to give and to receive

To speak and to listen

To inspire and to respond

In all circumstances of our life together.

I pledge you my love and my loyalty

My strength and my respect

Above all others

Forever

Since we footed the bill for our own wedding and since I’m a bit of a feminist, I also walked down the aisle alone. There was no “giving away” of the bride.

Just for fun, I’ll leave you with this last photo. Entertain me with your ideas on the backstory.