Today is our anniversary. It’s one of many milestones and marks in our journey that while not always celebrated will always bring a smile of remembrance to our faces. Today, though, marks the end of our second week of marriage.
I’m sitting here at the library down in our little town- a place I have yet to take into my heart and feel as if it really is mine too. It’s a beautiful little place, and I see so many interesting things to explore… eventually.
But for now, I’m sitting here, thankful that I took as many tissues as I did with me, and trying to figure just what to write first. It’s one of those moments when I feel like the things I could write are too many to sort out and I couldn’t begin to tell you all the things that are going through my head- the things I’ve learned, the beauty and joy that I’ve tasted in just these two weeks.
The wedding was beautiful, and I have a heart full of gratefulness to God, to my family, and to the girls who stayed with me all through that weekend, when I was still not feeling so good from my first sickness, who waited on me as if I were a princess, who shared hugs and laughs and took time to make my dreams come true with a whole lot of hard work. They may tell you it wasn’t so much, but I have worked behind many weddings, and I know the effort it took. Just knowing that they were there made me feel strong when I needed to be, and knowing that I could look out over the gathering when I suddenly needed an encouraging smile, and that there would be more than one face to smile for me helped keep me.
I am beyond blessed. I couldn’t have done without each one of you girls. But more on the wedding in later posts…
Things don’t always go as you plan. Life goes as it will, and we must learn to live it, and know that One who is above all does all things well.
The night of our wedding I found Gret’s words about a cold “relapse” after the wedding to be true. I had hoped to go home and spend the week planned spending time together, setting up our little home and settling into our schedule. I had thought of special meals I wanted to fix and of a tidy, clean home for Scott to return to when he came home from work, and of doing my best to have the happy home we both so wanted.
The adrenalin and need had revived me from my pre-wedding sickness only as long as it needed to, and as it was really and truly over, I was sick again- much worse than before. My fever shot up to 104 and for a while, we couldn’t seem to get it down. And then it’s been on to other things, and this endless use of tissue that makes me wonder what exactly my head is made up of.
Thus, our first two weeks have been spent taking care of each other, trying to get well and a few feeble attempts at setting the house in order.
Strength is returning, however, and slowly but surely we are making progress at getting well and I still can’t wait to do all the things I have wanted to do all along, looked forward to for all these years.
Yet even now, I can say honestly, that these have been the happiest weeks of my life. Real life isn’t a dreamy fairy tale, after all, it is real. It includes sickness and health, and spending it with my very best friend couldn’t really be anything else but happiness.
Oh how sweet! I am so happy for you both! I am glad you’ve taken the time to say that the first few weeks of your marriage didn’t go as planned. Hopefully if that happens with me I won’t be so let down. I know I will probably be a little disapointed, but at least I have been advised to take everything as God’s will!
How precious! My husband and I are approaching our 1 year anniversary in May and I don’t know where a year has gone (besides that, as I type this, I am nursing our firstborn who is now over a month old!). Continue to cherish each day with your beloved; having a godly husband is truly one of the richest blessings this side of glory!
When you first mentioned tissues, I was afraid it was something sad! I’m glad you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing about Real Life.
Your post brought a smile to my face. It reminded me of when I heard about my parents’ honeymoon. They were in Maui for a couple of weeks, and though my mama was only sick for a few days, she was pretty sick. It was unexpected, unplanned, and definitely not asked for, but my daddy doing his best to take care of his very sick bride made for some sweet memories… and they certainly got off on the right foot as far as service to each other in marriage is concerned!
God bless you, Chantel, and thanks for stopping by… it was lovely to hear from you.
Oh I’m sorry. My brother was sick the day of his wedding. Not fun.
How wonderful you are finding joy even in the not so lovely times of life.
What a striking post…I love the way you write, Chantel…
Been there, too, Chantel.
The Lord graciously gave me just enough strength to make it through our wedding. As soon as we drove away, I had nothing left! My husband, from the very beginning of our marriage, has demonstrated the sacrificial love and care of Christ. (For two long years he has been my servant. Now that we finally have a diagnosis, I hope I can heal up enough to turn around and serve him in the days to come!)
Congratulations, by the way. I didn’t make it over to comment on your previous wedding posts, but I am so happy for you.
Chantel thank you for such a beautiful and poignant post..thanks so much for telling about REAL LIFE…:) because that is the stuff i like to really hear about, not the dreamy dreamy fairy tale like weddings..not that there is anything wrong with those, It’s just that they are not as real to me..and your story truly brought tears to my eyes..such a great story of your love for your man and for your girlfriends
life truly doesn’t go as we always plan, sometimes it goes even better..because IT”S the way God has planned all along.
But please Chantel keep me in prayer.
MY foot has been driving me nuts for weeks, i was an avid runner/jogger for about 4-5 weeks, and then 2 weeks ago, i had an outbreak, first it was a blister, then a callous, now it’s worse..i will see my doctor April 1st about it, please pray for the Doctor to have the right medicine and wisdom in this situation..and pls pray that i can run again.
I was going to do a 5K this April 5th, now i may postpone that for 1 month and do one in May..and i always wanted to do a half marathon, my goal was June 28th…now i just don’t know if that’s even possible..Please pray that my foot heals in due proper time, and that I CAN run again.
maybe it happened for a reason, Maybe God wants me to take things slower and not run through life on a sprint..:)
And one things i gotta seriously say is that i will never take running/jogging/walking for granted again!!
lesson learned!
well that’s it from me. i promise!
sorry this was so long!
i just wanted to congratulate you on your wedding and send you HUGS!
i’ll pray for your health to be better and for you to stay strong and rooted in Christ and Christ’s word
may you and Scott be richly blessed always!
Blessings!
To God be all glory!
In Christ, Jane.
Happy Two week Anniversary, Chantel and Scott!
Some days, it's hard to believe that my dear sweet friend is actually and truly married. I start to say Chantel Harding and then I am reminded that you no longer have that name….. and my face lights up with a smile as I think of the joy on your face in your wedding photo
God is good, so very good!
I'm so thankful that you had so many friends and family members there to help with all the wedding preparations and to wait on you hand and foot! You deserved it!
What a blessing…
But I'm so sorry to hear that your sickness returned and with a vengeance too! ;(
It really does give a real meaning to the words, "In sickness and in health"…. you are
living your vows out day by day. I hope you both get your health and strength back soon and can enjoy life together even more than you already have!
Thank you for sharing how life "really is" and being so honest!
And when you get the chance… we would love to hear more about the wedding!
Hand-in-Hand
Heart-in-Heart
Forever together
Never to part.
No longer Alone
Paths Entwined
A Holy Oneness
God's Grand Design
Your friend and sister,
♥ Samantha
I love what you said about 'real life isn't a dreamy fairy tale.' My beloved & I have been married nearly six months now so there are bumps & potholes along the way, but it has been an absolutely wonderful six months, and I am definitely growing more and more in love with him each day that passes. This real life of mine is better than any fairy tale I've ever read. I thank God for the gift of living life with this man, no matter the hard times that come our way, because the joy of getting through them at the side of my best friend and with God as our strength is far better than any facade of perfection that a writer could pen.
Glad you're on the mend and hopefully can start getting your home set up. – after six months I JUST finished unpacking the last box! :-/
God bless you both and this beautiful life together ~
Thanks for taking the time to write, Chantel — I look forward to seeing more from you in the days to come!
::hugs::