weddings

I love weddings. But then really, I think most of us do.


For the past few years, I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to photograph many weddings. Today I had that opportunity again - this time, I was photographing the wedding of a friend I've known for many years. She and her new husband are full of love for one another and for life, and I know they will share wonderful, blessed years together. (Should the happy couple be reading this: congrats again, my friends! May God bless you always.)


I love weddings in part because every time I go to a wedding, I remember my own. It was an exceptional day, as all wedding days should be. I also have to laugh a bit, because wow! There's the wedding, and then there's the marriage, and it's so... interesting... to look at how things evolve over time. Marriage is a wonderful gift that does not come without its challenges. As those of you who are married know well, marriage requires hard work, dedication, understanding, and sometimes, willingness to share the blankets on the bed! George Bernard Shaw described it wryly, and well: "Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can't sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can't sleep with the window open." (So true in my house, it's not even funny!) 


But in all seriousness, marriage is a gift, not only because we get to spend the rest of our lives with our best friends, whom we love, but also because we have to work each day to keep loving them. Sometimes, that's not so easy, but I think we all know that there is merit in doing things that aren't easy. In other words, marriage is a gift that keeps on giving, as long as we allow it to. 


As the priest who celebrated the wedding Mass I was at today noted wisely, "Great marriages are not made in heaven. They're made right here, on earth." 


+peace, and all good!