Marriage > Dating

I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not […] I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. And to always know in the deepest part of my soul that no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find our way back to each other. 

- The Vow

Adam and I decided to get married soon after we started dating. We made plans before he even proposed. I'd always intended to elope - call me selfish but the thought of having a wedding without my father there depressed me. I honored him in my own way - we were married on my parents' anniversary. We spent Tuesday, August 27, 2013 parasailing, lounging by the pool, and talking about the life we would have together. I wore a dress off the David's Bridal rack and my groom wore shorts & a button-down. I had my something old (dad's lucky coin, sewn into my flowers), new (dress), borrowed (grandmother's ring), and blue (Swarovski crystal toe ring). My longtime friend, who is a minister, walked me onto the beach and I promised Adam I would love, honor, and cherish him until death do us part.

I'm not any less married than someone who spent tens of thousands of dollars and months of their life stressing over colors, seating charts, music, and what to feed the gluten-free guests. I never particularly cared about being engaged - being married to my soul mate was all I wanted. My rings, while gorgeous, are just a symbol. Marriage is more than jewelry and a party.

I see a lot of girls demanding extravagant rings and luxurious weddings. I just don't see the point. I'd have married my husband anywhere, with any ring. Your wedding day should not be the best or most important day of your life. Today is the most important day of my life. Every day spent married to this man is the best day I've ever had. August 27, 2013 was just the beginning. 

There's a reason we never got to this point with anyone else. We are meant to be.

We are soul mates.