I’m usually not a very sappy person, but I have to admit that I love weddings.  We attended our nephew’s wedding on Saturday and I could have bawled like a baby, but I held in most of it (so as not to embarrass my children or husband).  To me, weddings represent optimism, joy, expectation, happiness. . . . . It’s a nice reminder that there are good things happening in the world despite the BP oil spill, Afganistan, Iraq, tensions in Iran, tensions in Pakistan, the Gaza Blockade, etc.

The bride looked gorgeous and my nephew looked dashing – they were giddy, happy, overwhelmed by the moment….etc.  They did the brave thing and wrote their own vows – the vows were so sweet and heartfelt.  It was a beautiful wedding and the reception was a lot of fun (lots of good music)!

My hope for both of them is that they have indeed each found his/her soul mate and will be one of the 50% of couples that stick with it through the good times and bad.  Whoa, where did that come from!?  Sorry, that sounded a bit pessimistic, didn’t it? 

To explain . . . . at my last hair appointment, my hairdresser who is all of about 24-25 said something very shocking to me.  Three summers ago, she was a bridesmaid in about 5 weddings (think “27 Dresses”) and was a guest at a few more.  The shocking news?  Three years later over half of the couples are now divorced and one of her friends is getting re-married.  What?!

I know you’re thinking, “Whatever.  You’re so naive, woman!”  Hey, I do realize that divorce rates are high, but come on!  After two years, they’re ready to call it quits?!  They couldn’t wait until the 7 Year Itch?!  They probably haven’t even finished writing the “Thank You” notes yet! 

I really feel for the parents that dished out for these elaborate affairs (some of them sounded really insane!).  Not wanting to be one of these parents in the future (because, well, I do worry about it), I capitalized on this information as a learning moment for the offspring. 

“It doesn’t matter how amazing your wedding planner is (don’t get me started on this topic), where your reception is held, what your ‘colors’ are, or what your dress or cake looks like!  That’s not what makes a marriage!”  

But, these elements do make for a nice wedding album – ONLY if you hired the right photographer! 🙂  Okay, enough of the “Debbie-downer” routine.

Attending weddings always makes me think back on my own (over 19 years ago).  It was a blur, but I have happy, blurry memories of it!  Look at us full of optimism and hope for the future!

To the June wedding couples in my family

My sis & bro-in-law (14 years this June) – Congratulations!!

My parents will be celebrating their  50th Wedding Anniversary  this month!  Congratulations, Mom & Dad! 

Here’s to the future!  Congratulations, Craig & Laura!