I remember the dismal forecast and the gray sky spitting rain. (“It’s good luck” doesn’t comfort a bride who planned an outdoor wedding).
I remember the decision to keep the ceremony outside.
I remember the sky clearing and sun peeking just before I walked down the aisle.
I remember shouting “Wait!” once I reached you. Your face flashed terror. I meant “Wait to begin the ceremony” because the wind was trying to whip my veil out of my hair.
I remember gathering all of our family and friends to take a group photo.
I remember practicing our foxtrot and confidently dancing to Thinking Out Loud.
I remember feeling radiant and beautiful.
I remember dancing so hard my bustle broke.
I remember watching my grandparents of 60+ years of marriage dance the polka.
I remember our photographer saying he had never seen such a joyful couple on their wedding day (I see it even now in the photos).
I remember eating our cheesecake with coffee stirrers back at the hotel.
I remember holding excitement and anticipation to begin a life with you.
I loved you then. I love you now. Cheers to us and the life we’ve built. May we continue to cultivate our marriage, to put in the work, to savor its sweetness. A sonnet for our anniversary:
The Vintners and the Wine We are vintners, and our love is the wine. We tend our grapes throughout ev’ry season plant, cultivate, groom, growing each long line. Work is slow but we have the right reason to wait to harvest til the time is right. Grapes are plump, juice nearly bursts through the skin. Celebrate, pick, from dawn to waning light. Squeeze the best, let the sweet and yeast begin to dance. Strain, ferment, repeat. Sediment falls. Separate the good, bottle, endure. Cork, wait, monitor, pray; this time like Lent. Yet, we think not of toil as we sip pure, ruby richness. We focus on later, we remember this end, and we savor.
Happy anniversary, Alyssa! Your sonnet is beautiful, and so is the way you speak about your marriage. You were a gorgeous bride—I love your dress!
Andy and I met on this day 19 years ago! CRAZY!
Beautiful!! I loved this!! Happy Anniversary!!