Saturday, July 1, 1995 on the Caribbean island of Antigua at 10:00 a.m. we exchanged vows!!!
We almost didn’t make it. Planning a wedding long distance, our flight was canceled, overnight stays, lots of worry; the designer fudged my dress (it looked nothing like the sketches), anxiety …. more anxiety, lots of laughter …. and we made it. The night before, I promised him that I would not be late. I promised not to keep him waiting … and I didn’t! Sure I fudged my vows a little – instead of saying “to love and to cherish,” I said, “to love and to sherish.” This resulted in the uncontrollable urge to laugh long and hard and we struggled immensely to hold it in. We almost failed.
There was anticipation … and love, nervous smiles … and love, excitement … and love, laughter … and love, joy … and love, new life … and love, the ocean breeze … and love, sunlight glistening on sailboats … and love, I do’s … and love, US … and love, LOTS OF IT! It was awesome!!!!
Fast forward 17 years and it seems that today, July 1, 2012, I am the only one that remembers. Sad but true! It is a day that still matters very much to me. I remember the smiles, I remember holding hands, I remember looking into his eyes, I remember the “I love you’s,” I remember LOVE!!!!!
That saying, “in the land of the living” impacts me every day, because even though I can’t see him or touch him or kiss him, he is still in the land of the living in my world … because he is larger than life in my heart!
I love you babe! You will never leave my heart! Always and forever yours!