A Marriage Reminder

My oldest friend from high school, Theresa, got married last weekend.  I can't wait to see the professional pictures of her because none of the ones I snapped do her or her dress justice. 

As a married woman who was over the moon for her own wedding dress, I can honestly say that Theresa's out-shone mine by at least 10 light years!  Her train was beyond magnificent.  The lace, jewels and satin made her look exactly like the princess she's always wanted to be.  I was (and am) so happy she and John finally exchanged vows!!!

Vince was her ring-bearer.  He escorted a beautiful little girl named Allison down the aisle.  They were SO CUTE together!!!

Unfortunately, Vince was a bit of a terror during the service.  During rehearsal, the priest allowed Vince to run around the sanctuary.  I had specifically corrected Vince three times, but the priest told me not to bother each time.  He said, "Don't worry - it'll make for a cute photo op."

*Sigh*

I knew, as any parent of a toddler would, that allowing that behavior during rehearsal was just about the worst idea ever.  Vincent doesn't understand the difference between a rehearsal and the "real thing."  Thus, if it's okay to run amok in a church Thursday night, it should be perfectly fine to do the same on a Saturday.

As predicted, that's exactly what happened. 

I wonder how long it's going to take me to re-teach him that we don't act that way in a church.  *Sigh*

Luckily he didn't knock the candles over or rip Theresa's dress.  He basically ran up and down the sanctuary steps a few times during the exchange of vows and climbed into Father's seat, evading the attempts of groomsmen to wrangle him in.

Ah well... at least he was attempting to mimic a priest.  I can't be entirely upset about that prospect.  Ha ha ha!

Speaking of priests, the one presiding at Theresa's wedding Mass was the president of our now defunct Cardinal Dougherty High.  It was fabulous to see him.  He looks wonderful and his personality is still gentle and welcoming.  As I watching him go through the rehearsal, I couldn't help but think that his handling of people was the primary reason God chose him to be a priest. 

He is so incredibly genuine when he's in priest mode.  He goes out of his way to make sure everyone feels welcomed and cared about.  It's rare to be able to pull that off with a huge group of people so effortlessly, but he's incredibly consistent (which is probably why they made him President of Dougherty). 

Anyway, his homily was great.  He should make it available to other priests as a general "go-to" wedding homily.  He gave a lot of good advice - chief among them to remember that God blessed them with one another.  In order to make it to Heaven, they NEED each other.  They need to rely on one another precisely because God brought them together for the purpose of reaching Heaven.  The unique challenges they each bring will compliment the unique strengths they have, and together, they will live a life which aims for Heaven.

Married couples would do well to understand this.  Our spouses are NECESSARY.  They are the ones we are given precisely because they will challenge us to grow in love.  They will challenge us to sacrifice... to hope... to trust. 

It was a wonderful reminder to me, and it made my heart sing a hymn of thanks for such a beautiful reminder that I've been truly blessed with John.  He has challenged me to trust... to hope and to sacrifice.  All of that has deepened my capacity to love and has very much led me down the road towards my rekindling of faith.  I am a better Catholic today because of John (something he'd probably be loathe to acknowledge - ha). 

So yes... your husband or wife is a blessing sent directly from God, Himself, for the express purpose of ensuring your soul gets into Heaven.  How wonderful is that?  :)

Believe it or not, this atheist will get me to Heaven, but I'll drag him along too!