Thanks to my wonderful in-laws, Jeff and I were able to spend an incredible week on the Royal Caribbean Oasis. We had such a great time.
Monthly Archives: September 2011
wedding recap
I love to write.
I love stringing words together as if stringing diamonds on a priceless necklace.
I love to make pictures with my words. I love to move people through words.
But, with that said, I’ve never been more nervous to write anything as I was to write my wedding vow for Jeff.
How could I possibly find the words to write what he means to me? Suddenly the thought of simple words didn’t do justice to describe how I feel and how deep my promises run. But, writing my wedding vow was also one of the greatest honors and joys I will ever experience.
This week, I am going to post about my wedding – starting with my vow…
Jeff:
How could mere words be used to describe my love for you? For what we possess was surely handcrafted in the heavens long before time began. Before God formed each of us in our mother’s wombs, before He saw every one of our days, we were created for one another. You, Jeffrey Vance, are my other half; in so many ways my better half. The Great Story Teller took His sovereign pen and wrote a tale more beautiful than any before it. You see, only God could bring us back together again. Only God could give me someone as perfect as you.
Jeff, thank you for loving me. I know it must sound clique, but everyday, you make me want to be a better woman. You make me want to be the person God has always intended me to be, and with your love, I am confident I will be that person.
You found me when I was broken and so hurt, and you took my heart, every last piece of it and so masterfully put it back together again. You lifted me up. You taught me how to smile and how to dream again. You held my hand and led me through the toughest of days. You dried my tears and held me. You kept me going. Jeffrey Mullikin, you are my hero. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You are the most amazing man I have ever known. You have a heart that is unequaled; a smile that can light up my entire day.
Today I promise to love you for the rest of my days. I promise to be faithful to you and to respect you. I promise to encourage you and to laugh with you. I promise to pray for you and challenge you spiritually. I promise to defend you. I will be your confidant, your cheerleader, your sidekick and your best friend. It will not always be easy, but nothing truly meaningful in life is.
I love you Jeff; today and forever.
I am most blessed of all women because I have you.
the big day
I’m getting married TOMORROW! Words cannot express how BLESSED and OVERJOYED I am. What an incredible year this has been for me. No would could look at my life – how so many pieces have fit together – and say there is no God. Only He could do what has been done.
I just gave Jeff the gift I spoke of in my last post and it was one of the best moments of my life.
So – tomorrow I wear the pretty white dress, walk down the aisle and pledge myself to the greatest man of all. THANK YOU God for giving me this joy.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow…
You’re only a day away.
solomon’s song
Maybe it’s in the spirit of love. Or maybe it’s because I never have actually read it. Regardless, in lieu of my pending nuptials, I decided to read Song of Solomon for my daily devotions this week.
This book is legit and it’s quite funny:
“I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.”
“an apple tree among the trees of the forest”
“his fruit was sweet to my taste”
It’s hard to keep a straight face reading this book. I’ve even burst out with a few chuckles here and there. Especially when Solomon compliments his bride for her teeth each having their own “twin”. Apparently, dentists were not plentiful in Solomon’s time and it was quite rare to find a woman without a toothless grin. (Am I the only one that thinks that is funny?)
But what I love about Solomon is the way in which he creatively expresses affection for his beloved:
“Your eyes are like doves…your teeth are as white as sheep…your smile is flawless…your breasts are like two fawns…you are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.”
I imagine the young couple – after months of aching desire for one another – they are finally alone in the bridal chamber. And as Solomon slowly and gently un-dresses his young bride, he uses every picturesque word to describe her body; literally from head to toe. She naturally responds with blushing cheeks, but what woman’s heart wouldn’t melt after hearing the musical words he has used?
I hate it when couples talk about how they used to write letters to one another. They used to hold hands. They used to bring flowers, and used to slow dance. Why is it that we work so hard to make our love feel adored and desired in the beginning only to get lazy and apathetic over time? Yes, loving another person eventually takes work, like all of the best things in life. But, it’s work that is well worth it.
When I pledge my life to my man in two days, I will be pledging to love him not only with a faithful, sincere love, but to love him creatively for my entire life. I will not stop after the ring is on his finger. It means I will spend a bit more time on his birthday. And to write him love notes for no particular reason. I will promise to never stop persuing him. It will take work…but he’s worth it.
On the morning of our wedding, I will be giving him a gift that I’ve spent hours making. Literally. (And let’s get real, I almost wanted to quit near the end, just from pure exhaustion!) Starting at 50 days til the wedding day, I wrote him a letter or prayer or a special note each day describing my love for him. So now I have a beautiful scrapbook filled with 50 letters. I just want the world to stop for a few moments – the wedding vendors, the family and friends, the stresses and anxieties to pause, so that he can have a reminder of why I love him the way I do.
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