Dear Autumn,
You are about to embark on the greatest adventure of your life- marriage. I wanted to write you a letter and share some wisdom and experience from my 20-plus years of wedded bliss. And I wanted to let you know how very much you are cherished and loved, by your parents, your sister, my family and, most of all, by God.
It seems like we have known you for a lifetime, and yet it has only been six years since you came into our lives, or we came into yours. I am not sure how that went. But a lifetime has surely passed, since you were but a child then and you are a grown woman now, embarking on a new life with your husband.
I would like to tell you that it will be easy. But it wont always be simple. I would like to tell you that you wont experience any problems, but you just might hit a bump or two in the journey. I would love to tell you that you will always feel the way you will on your wedding day, but you wont. Time has a way of changing things.
So let me tell you this. Your wedding day is only the beginning of this amazing adventure God has you on. As much as you love Steve now, I can assure you that you will love him more in five years, even more in 10 and so much more in 20. Wedding-day love is perfect and pretty and covered in candles and flowers. Married love is even more beautiful because it is covered in commitment and faithfulness.
Oh married love can be romantic at times, and there are definitely moments of passion, but it is so much more than that.
Married love survives the bruises that life can bring on; the sorrows of loss can grow your love deeper if you allow God to lead your love. Married love can be joy-filled – but can also be strengthened by the steadfast commitment you make on your wedding day to stand together with the help of God against a world that wants to tear you apart.
Wedding day love is fleeting.
Married love is decorated by a lifetime of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and the assurance that you do not walk the path alone.
Wedding day love is exciting! Everyone is there to cheer you on and support your love.
Married love is sometimes a path you must walk in the dark, alone, unsure of where you are heading in a world where others are not there to clap when you kiss, hug you and tell you how beautiful you look.
Wedding day love is special. It is beautiful and precious. You will have an album full of pictures to remember that day for the rest of your life.
Married love is even more unique and stunning because it comes from a beauty only God could have created between a union only He can bless.
On our family room wall hangs a framed picture of Mike and I from our wedding day, with me all in white lace and ruffles and Mike in a black tux. We were so young and naïve, and yet so very much in love. When I think back on that day, I thought I loved Mike as much as I could ever love him.
More than 20 years later, I can honestly say that my love for Mike has grown deeper than I could have ever imagined. So as you approach your wedding day, I pray it is beautiful and perfect in every way.
But most of all, I pray that it is just the beginning of a lifetime of married love for you and Steve – and it will be if you invite God into your marriage.
Love- Trish
