Today, a little girl I knew as a Libbie Van Leeuwen got married in the Salt Lake City, LDS temple. It must have been such an amazing moment for her mom, Liz and her dad, Craig and the rest of the family. I know those people because once upon a time, for twenty plus years I was also a Van Leeuwen. Lucky for Libbie that both her parents were there and could witness the sealing. They kept their promise, a good example for their children, even when they too had their fair share of struggles, but in the end, Craig and Liz were smart enough to know what is important. Good for them! Neither of Libbie's grandparents are alive but I know they were all there watching her as she held the hand of the young man she loves and that must have been wonderful. I love weddings! and I specially love attending their ceremony inside the temple. There is such an amazing surreal feeling when two people get sealed for time and all eternity that I’m not sure how else to describe it. I am thrilled my girls were there to experienced it.
I can only picture in my head their eyes sparkling, so happy and in love, it is clear that they see only the good in each other and how great it would be if couples could find a way to always remember how in love they were with one another on their wedding day and then hold on to those feelings for each other all the years of their marriage. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to somehow bottle that feeling and keep it sacred so it never gets lost?
Bianca wrote a cute song "Feel the love again" about how In marriage everyone starts out so happy and in love with that twinkle in their eye. Then as time goes on he forgets to put the cap on the toothpaste and it gets all over the bathroom mirror which annoys her. Couples start to see all the negative in each other instead of seeing only the positive the way they did when they fell in love and decided to get married. Without even realizing it, they can let the love they once had for each other get taken for granted and start to disappear. That is what happened to us. She also wrote a song entitled promise eluding to the fact that when you marry, you make a promise that should never be broken.
I believe that in those two songs is the secret of what makes a good marriage. In one it tells you to see the best in the other person and to not be critical because that is how it all starts and on the other, it tells you of that promise you make when you get married to be there for the other person and to not ever break your promise or temple covenats as Mormons who marry for time and eternity.
I remember putting our wedding picture out for my ex-husband to see because I wanted so bad to go back in time and freeze that moment when we only saw the good in each other. Those photos, which we didn't have too many, thanks to an uncle who supposedly was going to be our photographer but never developed a single photo. He didn't have film in his camera. This was of course back in those days when if you were out of film, you were out of luck!
We didn't have any good photos to say the least. Those memories are the perfect reminders of the love that was once there. In my home today, I have an enormous painting of our hands opening the temple door, this is a reminder of that special day for us. People comment on the beautiful picture adorning our living room wall. I suppose that is why every time I visit friends I notice their walls filled with photos of their wedding day. People want to always be able to look at those pictures and remember that special day when they had the ability to only see the good in each other. We all can do that if we choose to.
I remember putting our wedding picture out for my ex-husband to see because I wanted so bad to go back in time and freeze that moment when we only saw the good in each other. Those photos, which we didn't have too many, thanks to an uncle who supposedly was going to be our photographer but never developed a single photo. He didn't have film in his camera. This was of course back in those days when if you were out of film, you were out of luck!
We didn't have any good photos to say the least. Those memories are the perfect reminders of the love that was once there. In my home today, I have an enormous painting of our hands opening the temple door, this is a reminder of that special day for us. People comment on the beautiful picture adorning our living room wall. I suppose that is why every time I visit friends I notice their walls filled with photos of their wedding day. People want to always be able to look at those pictures and remember that special day when they had the ability to only see the good in each other. We all can do that if we choose to.
“Find someone who isn’t afraid to admit that they miss you. Someone who knows that you’re not perfect, but treats you as if you are. Someone whose biggest fear is losing you One who give their heart completely. Someone who says I love you and means it. Last but not the least, find someone who wouldn’t mind waking up with you each morning, seeing your wrinkles and your gray hair but still falls in love with you all over again.” Unknown
This weekend take the time to look at the photos from your own wedding (if you are married). Notice the twinkle in your eyes and the smiles you gave each other. Then go hug your sweetheart and focus on only seeing the good in them all weekend long and like Bianca's song would you fall in love all over again, please!
Con amor,
Vero
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