Seventeen
I did not know then what I know now. How could I? What I knew then was that I was smitten beyond words. You were the first person in my life who had ever truly listened to me. The first to face me, in all my limitations, and see beauty. Even then, in this photo, I did not completely trust that vision. I suspected you were myopic.
I still suspect your vision is blurry. But what I know now is that beauty has many faces. I know that it takes the form of you standing in the storms, facing down the torrents of my insecurities that often threaten to drown me. I know that beauty lives in the peaceful way you bring me coffee and your willingness to suffer my high expectations. It rests between us when words are no longer necessary. In the way you hold me and have never thought of violence. The way you speak to me and about me. The way you walk. Oh, the way you walk, do you know how lovely you are walking hand-in-hand with our son? Or when I catch the sight of our shadow on the pavement, hands interlaced. It takes my breath away. And I could not imagine it then. I can barely grasp it now.
I did not know then that I was blessed. Blessed not for the loveliness of the day, but for the companionship in the trials on the horizon that we could not see then. Every fairytale has a villain, how else does good triumph? And we have met our fair share. We have slayed our dragons, run from wolves, and tricked the little men who would keep us from happiness. You and I know the truth: that all this beauty has been hard won. We have persevered, my love—we have endured.
I could not see then what I see now. But that is the beauty of fairytales. We don’t see the big bad wolf or the wicked witch coming our direction when we begin. Instead, we believe in happy endings. In a world where hope is elusive we take a step of faith into the unknown. Together.
June 16th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Beautiful post–and you look so young! It’s wonderful to hear about how much you have meant to each other, and still do.
___________________________________
Thank you, Margaret.
~W
June 17th, 2007 at 6:18 am
You sweet little thing, you.
For a minute there I thought that you were 17 when you got married. And I was getting ready to say, “DAMN, GIRL!”
Boy Wonder does look exactly like you, doesn’t he?
_____________________________________
Operative word being “little”. Not so much any longer. (thank you Thyroid!!). And yes, I do think the boy is starting to seriously resemble me. However, he gets his height from his dad. ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Oh………..sniff…….
Kleenex please.
And may you have 17 more….
___________________________________
Thank you! I so appreciate it. ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Gorgeous picture and tear-jerking post.
Happy Anniversary you two!
____________________________________
Thanks, Paula! ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Congratulations you two! And I wish you SO MANY MORE. Marriage is so wonderful when you have the right partner, and obviously, you guys got one of those winning partnerships! Have fun!!!
____________________________________
Indeed we did. And thank you, thank you! ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Congratulations! I felt this way about someone once, and I had it for a short 12 years before it was time to let go and jump back into a different place…I hope to have it again…Cheers to more happy years and small pauses that take your breath away!
___________________________________
Oh, here’s to finding it again! ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Happy anniversary.
___________________________________
Thanks!
~W
June 17th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Happy Anniversary! What a lovely picture!
__________________________________
Thank you. ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Truly you bless me with your presence in my life. Thank you for seventeen years and more. I do so love you.
___________________________________
I adore you, you know? ~W
June 17th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
You are so beautiful! Happy Anniversary!
____________________________________
Thank you, Marie! ~W
June 18th, 2007 at 10:05 am
As somebody who is planning her own wedding this is a wonderful, wonderful post to read. Thank you so much.
Cherry Menlove xx
__________________________________
You’re so welcome! And happy planning!
~W
June 19th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Beautiful post!
Cheers to you both, happy anniversary!
… and in a few years I hope to see you blogging about your anniversary from a beautiful hotel in Paris!
___________________________________
Thank you! And me too, although lately we’ve been leaning toward something more exotic. ~W
June 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
WOW!! I was just today thinking about you two and all you have gone through together. I loved reading your post.
___________________________________
Indeed… we’ve been through a lot. And, thank you! ~W
June 21st, 2007 at 9:22 am
Congratulations on your anniversary and enduring love. Thank you for the beautiful post.
___________________________________
Thank you, Mary Beth!! ~W
June 21st, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Awwww! Snif! Congratulations! ~A
___________________________________
Thank you! ~W
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I just discovered your very lovely blog through your comment at Alicia’s blog.
this post is so touching, and I don’t even KNOW you, my dear!
I think you are just beautiful and your words here on your blog PROVE that.
my hubbie and I have only been married 10 years less than you, but so much of what you wrote feels just as true and real for us.
what a grand tribute to your love!
take care,
Kalurah
____________________________________
Wow, I’m really touched you’d leave a comment—and one so nice!
Thank you. It means so much. And congratulations on 7 years. Every year is a triumph, every moment a treasure! Blessings. ~W