It’s my blog. I can write about anything I want. I can tackle controversial subjects. I can poke the bear in the eye with a metaphorical stick. I can also set down here and convey to you what she represents to me.
We weren’t necessarily ‘young’ when we were married, but we had a lot of life’s lessons yet to grasp. Isn’t that the truth no matter your status, place, or tenure in life? My preacher had an instant life change just weeks before we were to be married and abruptly left the congregation, and my wife and I scrambled to find a suitable fix. To be frank, we were a little lost. We were put in touch with a fine gentleman and rock solid pastor from another local church. Although we’d never attended his church, I knew many people from his congregation and Bob had a reputation for being well respected and seasoned.
After reaching out to Bob to consider marrying my wife and I, he had showed reluctance. He agreed to join us, but insisted we complete classes with him. Logistics were a problem, as the drive was nearly 3 hours one way to meet with him. But… We wanted to do this, so we made the trek two nights a week for several weeks in order to adhere to his prerequisites.
After many hours of discussion, materials, and meaningful dialogue Bob looked up from his desk and said to my bride-to-be and I:
“You kids are obviously very much in love. I can see it. I can feel it. Love however, is bound to leave you in your time. There will be hard times. There will great times. You’ll fall in and out of love in your marriage. I tell you this, not to scare you or portray a bleak picture of the future, but to prepare you. The symbolism of the wedding ring itself, is that of a circle, but more importantly commitment. When you commit before God, you’re entering into a union for life. Even if you don’t love one another for period of time, your commitment remains.” There was more to his explanation, but honestly I’m not sure I remember it all. Frankly speaking, I was still firmly seated in shock from what he’d said to that point. Needless to say, it was a quiet ride home from southern Iowa.
Imagine that for a moment. The guy you think is going to shower you with scripture full of love and eternal joy, slaps you right across the face and gives you a healthy dose of the real world. It wasn’t what we were expecting, and that was perfect. I have forever reflected on that as one of the most impactful contributions to our marriage. It wasn’t what I wanted, and instead was what I needed.
My wife and I chose a song that many would consider well outside the mainstream for our wedding reception. The wedding itself was a small family-only affair in a meadow and we attempted a flight in a hot air balloon afterward. Nature and a 25mph wind conspired against us that day, so we didn’t leave the tether to earth. Our reception with friends and family combined was a short period later. The song we chose was “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.
Kind woman, I give you my all, Kind woman, nothing more.
Little drops of rain whisper of the pain, tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong,
together we shall go until we die. My, my, my.
An inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look… see.
And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness….I’m glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.
It wasn’t a terribly popular song in southwest Iowa and in fact there may have been many of our friends that hadn’t heard it prior to our reception. But in the big red barn south of the little town of Bedford, we swayed to those sweet lyrics and drank them in like fresh nectar in spring…
I haven’t listen to “Thank You” often. I’ve been afraid of wearing it out, if that makes sense. I put up a good front, and while anyone can easily tell when I’m mad or happy, if I’m truly troubled, I mask it well. But she knows… So when an acoustic version of “Thank You” popped on my Facebook wall with a simple “I love you” from wifey the other night, it was exactly what I needed when I needed it. The fact that this cover of the song is from an artist I’ve enjoyed for years was icing on the proverbial cake. Chris Cornell really did a nice job. The ebb and flow is smooth and he makes the song his own slightly. That’s important in a really meaningful cover…
Proverbs 31:11-12 – The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Has our love waivered in our many years? Yes. I’m not ashamed to describe our love as a boxer that has been battered and bruised. Akin to that same prize fighter, we’ll endure and my hope is we’ll make it fifteen rounds.
The commitment, love, and thank you represented in this ballad really lift me up as much as scripture. Maybe I’ve been wrong all along. Maybe you can’t wear out a song like this. What have I been right about you ask? Committing to my wife for life is that answer. She’s great… Thank you Lord!
Be salt and light my friends… Salt and Light!