Twenty-one years ago we took our marriage vows and today we celebrate that decision. I'm glad we did. I am married to my best friend and can't imagine my life without him.
Our wedding was not big. We had my mom and dad and godparents and his mom, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. We had a reception for family and friends. We married in his mom's back yard and the reception was at a local community center where my parents lived. My folks didn't have money for a wedding so we paid for almost everything but the cake -- two sheet cakes is what we had.
Instead of a fancy dress, I wore something I had. I bought the cups, plates, and flatware at a discount store, as well as the decorations. A friend and I decorated the room.
We used the money to put a down payment on our first house. When the bank asked us back then if we had 20%, they were surprised that we did. Our goal was to buy less of a house than we could afford, and fix it up and still do things.
Twenty one years later I think we did OK. We are still married, we have moved to another house that is paid for, and we can do things we enjoy.
Sometimes I wish I had the big church wedding because I see the ones on television and in the movies and think they are beautiful. But in the long run, I'm married and we are happy and I think a lifetime of love and security is worth far more than an album of pretty pictures and possibly debt if we had gone wild.
Guess I'm a pragmatist at heart.
Today is our anniversary
June 15th, 2011 at 04:33 pm
June 15th, 2011 at 05:04 pm 1308153857
June 15th, 2011 at 05:11 pm 1308154317
June 15th, 2011 at 05:19 pm 1308154753
You could always renew your vows and have a beautiful ceremony if you would like. Like perhaps to mark your 25th? That gives you 48 months to save and plan.
June 15th, 2011 at 05:19 pm 1308154755
Although the formal weddings are beautiful, they are also stressful, and I think simple personal ceremonies are the best.
June 15th, 2011 at 05:23 pm 1308154999
June 15th, 2011 at 05:23 pm 1308155032
June 15th, 2011 at 06:21 pm 1308158497
I can't tell you how many hugely expensive elaborate weddings I've been to where the marriages didn't last long. Often I think women (especially women, but some men too) want the wedding and all the fuss. When the marriage is the focus, things are often different!
June 15th, 2011 at 07:18 pm 1308161932
June 15th, 2011 at 11:00 pm 1308175214
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
June 16th, 2011 at 01:24 am 1308183858
June 17th, 2011 at 03:33 am 1308278035