Just Enough Clouds for a Beautiful Sunset

Twenty years ago on August 26th, 1994

 a young man from Colorado...

 promised a young lady from Pennsylvania, 

whom he'd met and courted in Ukraine, that he would

honor, 

love,

and protect her

                                                                 till death parted them.

And the young lady who hadn't been sure she would always enjoy the rocks and the prairies of the west,

but felt sure of his love and of God's will,

promised to love 

and honor 

and obey him

till death parted them.  

And they sealed their vows with a kiss.

 And twenty years later, 

the same tender-hearted and strong but sensitive man, 

and the same lady

began to celebrate the memory of that day just a bit early--

so it would last as long as possible!

Because marriage is not just about a beautiful wedding, bridal gowns and lace and kisses,

but it is about weathering storms

as well as about admiring sunsets.

 

 It is about helping, forgiving and strengthening each other's weaknesses.

It is about being honest when we are hurt--

and making up afterward.

The wedding kiss becomes one of a series of kisses--the kisses of commitment,

the kisses of joy and friendship,

the kisses of forgiveness and grace,

the kisses not just of passion but of compassion--

the kisses underneath a cloudless sky,

and kisses when the clouds are gray and pouring rain and there is a leak right over your bed!

And I'm so thankful for a husband who is careful to be very appropriate in public,

but renders countless kisses behind the scenes,

and even obliges his wife who loves to be creative with ideas and asks for a silouette picture 

which she is so excited about how it turned out better than hoped for!

And a few relatives and friends shared sweet cards...

one with the touching message (copied from a Country magazine) in a lovely home made card from my mom and dad giving me a lump in my throat:

"May there be only enough clouds in your life to make a beautiful sunset!"