Every couple has their own beautiful romantic story, and now—after a decade of officiating weddings—I can honestly say that every wedding has its magical moments. One never knows exactly where the emotional crescendo of a wedding may be—heartfelt original vows offered between the couple, a sentimental reading offered by a family member or friend, a deeply held cultural or religious ritual, a blessing showered over a couple as they approach the “Declaration of Marriage.”
Not long ago, I married a young man and woman from the UK. Theirs was a sweet courtship that I re-told during the wedding. The groom originally thought the beautiful bride was “out of his league.” The bride, in turn, remarked on what a “rock” the groom had been through various challenging issues that awaited her during their romance. But it was a moment after their vows, that brought this old-timer to tears.
The groom pulled from his suit pocket a number of small pieces of paper written in small, but beautiful penmanship. He held the bits of papers out as if he’d been dealt a winning hand of cards. He explained to the puzzled bride that a full year before they met, he wrote down his intentions of the kind of woman he wished to meet and, hopefully, marry. It was as if he described her exactly—a brunette, slim, smart, with a wide smile….and on and on and one.. He set forth his objective of finding the woman of his dreams—and he did! This was a moment that I felt honored to share, offering a lesson that I will never forget.