365 Days Later....

Will and I are approaching our one year anniversary this Sunday and I can't help but look back at this past year and think about what all we have endured, accomplished and learned. You always hear "the first year is the hardest" and I was always skeptical that this would be a reality that Will and I would deal with since we were together for 7 years before we married I just assumed that we had FINALLY reached the finish line once the "I Do's" were exchanged...

 HAHA!

Unfortunately I must say that "the first year is the hardest" is something we mentioned to each other on various occasions throughout our first year of wedded bliss, I could possibly even say it became  our 'motto". I guess I always thought that when people said that it was with the connotation that our relationship would struggle and go through its hardest time through the first year so I didn't believe it. Will and I have always been able to remove our relationship during arguments... like it would just be set up on a shelf so we could battle it out and then we were finished the relationship was still there... same as ever, I guess that's why its good to marry your best friend! I think the motto should be "the first year is the most stressful". In your first year you become on your own "for REAL" and its hard...I remember calling my parents the first time something broke that was going to cost a fortune and my dad's exact words were "Better save up !" I still cringe when I think about that saying, but that's what is so hard, just figuring everything out. I think God makes your marriage tough in the first year so  you know what you're made of... almost like training for a marathon. We have encountered quite a bit in the past year...

-Dead AC unit

-More home repairs than you can imagine

-New pet

-Sick pet

-Emergency room visits (MONSTER DEDUCTIBLE)

-BABY on the way

-Job stress

-Car repairs

-New Business ventures

-Job changes

and many more.

I am thankful that we had good starting tools and coaches as we entered into our marriage as it was always in the back of my mind every time something came up and for parents that know tough love, and when to step in when things are too tough!

I think after a year we just say... We will figure it out, because up to this point that's worked!!

Through it all I realized those vows we said (that I didn't remember all of on August 30th 2009) were said for a REASON, and every word was true, and means more today than it did then, as I'm sure it will mean more in 10 years than it does now.

 

Exchanging of Vows and Rings:

Will and Candace - the Bible has much to say about marriage – directly and indirectly. The very first people of creation were brought together by God who saw that is was not good for man to be alone. Eve was created to be Adam’s companion and his helper in all things. Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding. Some of his most famous parables flow out of the context of marriage.

As you stand here this evening – it is your desire that this time of worship not only reflect your commitment to one another but your individual and shared commitment to Christ. Marriage is the clasping of hands – the blending of hearts – the union of two lives becoming one. This marriage will stand by the strength of your love and the power of the faith you have in one another and God.

I want to ask you to turn and face one another now.

Will would you please take Candace’s hands, and hold them palms up, so that you may see them for the gift which they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend – smooth – young – and carefree which are holding yours on this wedding day as she pledges her love to you for all the days of her life. These are the hands, which will hold your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way and knowing when its time to let go. These are the hands which will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times – they are the hands which will comfort you when you are sick and will console you when you grieve. These are the hands, which will passionately love you and cherish you through all the years for a lifetime of happiness. These same hands will support you as you pursue your dreams of all that God has enabled you to be and to become. Together, as a team, her hands in yours, your wishes will be realized.

Will, repeat after me:

I, Will, take you Candace, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today – tomorrow – and forever.

I will trust and honor you

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

I will love you faithfully

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

What may come I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold

So I give you my life to keep

By the grace of God.

Candace please take Will’s hands and hold them palms up so that you may see them for the gift that which they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend. They are young and strong and vibrant with love - these hands, which are resting in yours on this your wedding day, are the hands of the one that is promising to love you for all the remaining days of your life. These are the hands which will work along side you and will build your future, as you laugh and cry as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These hands will work long hours for you and your family and they are the hands which will passionately love and cherish you throughout the years – the same hands will wipe away tears of sorrow and tears of joy from your eyes. These are the hands which will comfort you in times of illness and which will hold you when grief intrudes your home. These are the hands, which will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes – eyes that will be filled with passion for you.

Candace, repeat after me:

I, Candace, take you Will, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today – tomorrow – and forever.

I will trust and honor you

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

I will love you faithfully

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

What may come I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold

So I give you my life to keep

By the grace of God.

Rings

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and woman in holy matrimony.

The ring is a material symbol that has been designed to illustrate a spiritual truth.

A ring has two characteristics which make it suitable as a reminder to us of the importance of keeping Christ in our marriages.

First, the ring is a circle. Circles never end. Christian marriages should never end. Difficult times come, but the commitment of Christians is to make their marriage go on forever. The circular ring is a reminder of that never-ending commitment.

Also, rings are made out of a precious metal, usually platinum or gold, which has the unusual quality of getting better and more valuable with age. Instead of wearing out and deteriorating, we pray for your love to grow and improve with age.

Pastor: Will and Candace,

Do you have the tokens of the sincerity of these vows?

Pastor to Groom: As you place the ring on the finger of your bride, repeat after me. I give you this ring, as a promise of keeping my vows, and loving you today, tomorrow, and as long as we shall live. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor to Bride: As you place the ring on the finger of your groom, repeat after me. I give you this ring, as a promise of keeping my vows, and loving you today, tomorrow, and as long as we shall live. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor: The rings that are on your hands are like strings on your fingers. They remind you of something.

Every time that you see your wedding ring, you will be reminded of the commitment that you have made here today and that your love is a perfect gift from God to one another. Your love is made stronger each day through the commitment God has instilled in your hearts for one another.

Happy Anniversary Will... ready for year 2!