It’s our wedding anniversary. Fifteen years ago today, I got into my Chevy Blazer and looked at the beautiful young lady that was seated in the passenger seat and said, “You’re my wife.” I think she responded with a simple, “Yep” but I really don’t remember. I was too busy thinking. I was thinking that everything was great! I was thinking about how awesome it was to have my closest friends and family on hand for the best day of my life. I was thinking about how blessed I was and the many blessings my new bride and I would experience together throughout life.
I was also busy thinking to myself, “I can’t believe I dropped the ring!”
I mean, seriously… how do you fumble the wedding ring?
The symbol of the perfect union that was about to take place and I had dropped it! I guess it happened because, in the many moments leading up to that one, we were both somewhat frantically watching the two candles rapidly burn as the pastor said some stuff about roles of husbands and wives, love, care, respect, cherish, blah, blah, blah. Good stuff, but we were fixated on those candles.
Weddings Bring Anxiety – Accept It & Move Beyond It
There was a cold air return above those candles, so they we’re dwindling down faster than July 4th sparkler! These were the same candles we would be using to light a unity candle… if this pastor would EVER stop talking (sorry Pastor Phil, the truth has to come out sometime). He finally did and then I dropped. the. gosh-darn. ring.
It was just another in a series of mishaps. Earlier that morning I had accidentally kicked the table holding all the plastic champagne cups that we had set up the night before. Just before the ceremony, one of my groomsmen was wandering the hall of the church trying to untangle the pearls that my soon-to-be wife was to wear.
Lots of activity. But In wasn’t nervous. Nope. We were getting married. It was what we wanted and what God wanted. And we did it our way, too. The reception featured no DJ or first dance. There was only light catering… just a simple wedding and reception for a couple of simple kids.
At the end of the day, we were married just as if the wedding day had been flawless. It was great preparation for doing life together.
Lots of laughter, sharing memories and good fun.
While on our honeymoon, a few days into it as a matter of fact, I asked my wife, “did you get a piece of our wedding cake?” She thought for a moment. “You know, I don’t think I did.” Neither had I. A year later, on our first wedding anniversary, we pulled the cake top out of the freezer and each took a bite.
Jenny hated it because it didn’t taste fresh. I like frozen cake. Plus, my sense of taste is mildly impaired due to a lost sense of smell . . . more cake for me!
Reflections of 15 Years+ on Our Wedding Anniversary
Yep. Fifteen years ago, Jennifer and I encountered mishaps, obstacles and anxiety en route to gettin’ hitched. We’d been anticipating that day for about six years leading into it. Of course, it didn’t go fully as planned. But what in life actually does? So what if things go a little off book?
It’s a good reminder that, as long as you,remain focused on the priority and vision of the big picture, you can endure pretty much anything. Today, I share this message with you all. No matter where you are in life, remember the important stuff. Don’t let the little things steal your joy.
No matter where you are in life, don’t let the little things steal your joy. Click To TweetYes, I biffed it by kicking the table and knocking over cups. Yes, the pearls got tangled. Yes, the candles burned super fast. Yes, I dropped that ring – and yes – people laughed at my folly.
But the joke was on everyone else…
Jennifer became my wife.
It’s a blessing I thank God for every single day!
Happy anniversary my love.