…I like to share my dad’s speech from our wedding reception. His words are beautiful and powerful. Please enjoy them.
As I thought about what I would say to you today, I thought of all the wonderful cards you sent me over the years, for Father’s Day, for my birthday, for our anniversary. I’m sure you know that I’ve kept every one you ever gave me and Mom. How nice it was for me to re-read your thoughtful and loving words. They gave me the inspiration I needed to now pass on to you some thoughts to consider as you start your journey with Ted.
First and foremost, tell each other “I love you” and “thank you” every day…say it a lot, over and over, never stop saying it.
Start each day with gratitude and compassion for each other, and unconditional love will follow.
Believe in each other, and support each other’s dreams.
Always give more than you think the other needs.
Apologize, forgive, and forget – doing so will make you feel better.
You are never given a dream without always being given the power to make it come true.
Never get so busy making a living that you forget how to make a life. Believe that you’ll be happy doing nothing with your spouse, rather than something with anybody else.
Set boundaries in outside relationships – don’t let anyone take away too much of the time you spend with each other.
Never forget that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
You may never have it all together, but together you will have it all.
Realize that more is never enough – searching for the right pumpkin in the patch, drinking cherry wine, sitting by a campfire – the trick is to enjoy the things that don’t cost much. It is easy to live well when you’re poor as when you’re rich, but when you’re poor, it’s much cheaper.
Understand what satisfaction in marriage—as well as life—is: if you don’t get everything you want, be thankful for the things that you don’t get, that you don’t want.
When life gets too hard to stand, kneel; for with God all things are possible.
Lara, you are being blessed with the greatest happiness in life – to love, and to be loved.
To the world, you are one person, but to Ted you are the world.
May God bless you both abundantly in your new life together.
“Like a perfect line in a perfect poem, you bring me, bring me, bring me home.”
Happy Anniversary, Goof.
