Dear Wedding Day Me,
Hey! It’s me– 41 year-old you. I’m over here. No, here.
Yes, that’s me. Well, you. Ok … us.
You look faint. Everything alright? The dress a little too tight? You did eat breakfast, right?
Oh, wait. It’s the kids, right? Yeah, sorry. Forgot about that.
Don’t freak out. Breathe. Breathe.
Better? Good.
What I really wanted to do was just talk to you for a minute. Just a minute, I promise. I know today is crazy busy. I mean, wedding. Seriously– it’s a big thing. And you’ve got a whole bunch of folks trying to talk to you, and so many people to please, and the chaos is intense right this second. I won’t keep you long. Maybe just long enough that you miss the pressure to wear make-up. Trust me: no matter who tries to convince you, go with your gut. You don’t need it. You don’t wear it, and I’m here to tell you, you won’t ever. In fact, you’ll end up wiping off most of it before you even walk down the aisle because you’ll pass by a mirror and realize …
Side-tracked. Sorry.
It’s just … I’ve got a lot I want to tell you. Some of it’s important, and some of it’s not. There’s a whole lot of life headed your way in the next two decades, and I have seen it all already. I know the stuff you need to sweat, and the things you shouldn’t waste your time on. I probably shouldn’t be tempted to share cheaters, but the truth is, I am. There’s some amazing beautiful and some really, really hard in your journey, and if I could somehow spare you the hurt, well …
Yeah, I wouldn’t. Because the lows make the highs that much better. Just remember that, ok?
Anyhow, here’s what I want to tell you: this is an incredible day. One of the best! You look gorgeous. And your groom? He’s beyond all you ever dreamed of. We did good, honey. He’s a keeper. You already know that of course, but let me reassure you. This guy? He’s The One.
You’re getting ready to commit to spending the rest of your lives together. And everyone is there to celebrate. Everyone you love. Oh, wait. Do something for me? Run right now and hug your Mamaw and Papaw. Hug them as tight as you can, for me, ok? And when you’re done, I want you to find Grandpa Jack and Grandma Betty. And Aunt WeeWee, and Aunt Fran, and Uncle Robert. Hug them, too. Tell them thank you, and that you love them.
When you get back, I want you to ponder the fact that this day? It’s just a day. But the marriage you’re embarking on is the rest of your life.
Things today are going to be beautiful and lovely and so, so sweet. You’re going to smile and laugh and pose for pictures. You’ll feel awkward at moments, and you’ll get nervous. You’ll laugh a lot. You’ll cry. And when it’s all said and done, the sun will go down and you’ll be someone’s wife.
And being someone’s wife means so much more than being the one who walked down the aisle to him in a white dress. It means living together, day in and day out. It means living for one another. It means serving, and helping, and being vulnerable. It means being the one to call each other out on stuff, and the one to cry with joy when the good things come your way.
Your wedding is going to be amazing. I promise. But the life you two will live together? Oh, honey. I can’t even tell you how beautiful that will be.
It will be an adventure. A journey. Full of the unexpected. And you are going to love it. Every minute– even the ones that find you crying out to God and begging Him for mercy.
This wedding is the first day in your forever. I know. I’ve lived it for the past twenty years. Enjoy today. And be ready for a lifetime that is so much more than you ever dreamed of.
Which brings me back to the kids. Yeah. About that. You know those two perfect children you always wanted? Good news! You get them! Even better news … you get a couple of bonus rounds. Spoiler alert: one is missing from the photo.
You look faint again. You o.k.? Breathe. Just breathe. I’m going to go now, o.k.? You really have to get back to the preparations. Remember what I said about the make-up. And forget what you’ve seen here. The way you look right now, I’m pretty sure that if you whisper any of this to Christopher tonight, he might run away screaming. Boy, that would make for an interesting evening …
With love,
Me. You. Us.
2016
This is perfect! 😊