Wedding Anniversary Number Six!

I've been looking at wedding photos for the last few days (preparing to finally get them printed!) and so now it is finally my wedding anniversary and I'm so excited!

Tonight we are going out for dinner and then a movie - nice and relaxed, just like our wedding day was! I can't wait! Wood fired pizza, here I come!

Also, honey, if you finally catch up on reading my blog, the last six years have been wonderful, and I'm looking forward to the next 60! 

Raindrops and Wedding Bells

Today it is my fifth wedding anniversary! Already. It goes by so fast.

I'm sure you will all excuse me for having a little break from adventy/Christmassy posts so that I can have a little reminisce.

Today it is raining. Those who were at my wedding will know how appropriate this is: the days before and after my wedding day were warm and sunny. My wedding day, however, was misty and rainy. I don't think it stopped raining all day. My ivory dress looked blue because of the tarps which were put up to keep guests dry. 

There was no back up plan, and looking back, I wouldn't change anything. Here are a couple of photos.

It has been a good five years :)

I Love Being Married

In Australia, August 13 is National Marriage Day.

My husband and I wholly support marraige as an institution between a man and a woman. We also think it is great! We have had struggles in the time we've been married (five years in December), but we have worked through many of them. We aren't in a rush... we have the rest of our lives. 

We are the best of friends, and we are each sure of the others commitment to our marriage. I think we have a beautiful thing!

When there is Love in a Marriage there is harmony in the home; 

when there is harmony in the home, there is contentment in the community; 

when there is contentment in the community, there is prosperity in the nation; 

when there is prosperity in the nation, there is Peace in the World.

~Chinese proverb

Love, Happiness and Marriage

One of my friends is moving to England (the other side of the world) to be with her fiance. On Sunday she had a farewell barbeque. To say goodbye I made her this:

I also wrote her a letter. At the end of the letter I felt like printing myself out a copy so I could remember my own advice (I especially like the last dot point). Some of this I have learnt, much of it I am still learning. I hope that what I wrote will also benefit you. Here is some of it:

...I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learnt about love and marriage. I hope dot points are okay as I should be working on my university assignment right now.

• Love is precious, like a rare gemstone that must be guarded. 
   
• Love is beautiful. 
   
• Love is hard work.
   
• Love is worth it.
   
• When we love we put the other person before ourselves.
   
• We don't love the other person so that we will be happy (that is selfish).
   
• We love because that is what we choose to do. 
   
• We love because we want to make someone else happy. 
   
• Happiness is a by-product of choosing to love someone more than we love ourselves.
   
• Many people do not understand that love does not always come naturally.
   
• When we aren't feeling the love, we need to choose to be loving anyway.
   
• Happiness is not the goal of marriage.
   
• Learning to love and cherish someone before ourselves is the goal of marriage. 
   
• This first blush of romance and happiness does not last. 
   
• If you are committed, something better than what you have now will become yours. 
   
• The stability and trust and confidence in a solid relationship where there is dedication and commitment is far more satisfying than the exciting whirl of romance. However... 
   
• If you have a good, loving relationship, there will always be romance! 
   
• Surprise cuddles are wonderful!
   
• Sometimes men get grumpy when we give them a surprise cuddle. Timing can be crucial.
   
• When you argue (and you will) do not say “you never...” or “you always...”
   
• When you argue, make up before you go to sleep.
   
• Say "I love you" everyday.  
   
• Do not wait for the other person to apologise first, even if they are wrong. 
   
• When you go through a hard day or year (or ten), remember what you have: do not throw it away, but hold onto it, because night does not last forever.
   
• Do not try to change the other person, change yourself first.
   
• Marriage is something that refines your character and teaches you how to love.
   
• Learning to love is a never-ending lesson.
   
• Always remember and appreciate what you have!
   
• You hold the success and happiness of your marriage in your hands.

Have you got anything that you are bursting to add to this list? Share in a comment :)

Kathy xxx

A Letter About Marriage

This morning, while reading the blogs I subscribe to, I came across a gem. Those who know me will know that I do not have any children yet (just a husband and a cat) but I think this post is relevant for everyone, whether married, engaged, dating or single.

Here is a excerpt:

If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive.  If they do it again, forgive again.  Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day. Dwell on the strengths, push out thoughts of their weaknesses.  Take every thought captive–choose to love.

Go on, read the rest. It is good food!

Kathy xx