Love.

I went to a wedding at the beginning of the month. I love weddings. And this one was spectacular. Not because it was extravagant, extraordinarily fancy, over the top or anything of that nature. Although it truly was lovely and very, very well done. But it was the people, Em and Eddie, their families and the location (Em's homeplace) and the thought and effort put into the details that made it so wonderful. It also has to do with this family, Em's family The Combs, I love them and they are all very dear to me, which made it all that much more awesome to be there. There were several readings during the short, sweet and poignant ceremony that struck a chord with me and I'd love to share them. I have not found what Em and Eddie have, I don't know if I will. But I hope someday I will and I hope that I will never settle for less again. Thank you Em and Eddie for sharing your day and thank you Combs family for being who you are.

“Let your love be stronger than your hate and anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break.
Believe the best rather than the worst.
People have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
The person you choose to marry is deserving of the courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
Please hand this down to your children and your children’s children.”
— Jane Wells 1886


“To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.”
— Ogden Nash


“When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
— Captain Corelli’s Mandolin





EDIT -- 8/25/11 I had to go back and change the Captain Corelli's Mandolin quote because I did not have it quite right. Figures! This version is much better anyway :)