To Marriage, carrying each other in good times and bad, to honouring each other. Always.
When I married my husband in a civil ceremony little over four years ago now, it was a beautiful day filled with love and laughter…but one thing was missing and it has always been one of the most important things in my life…God. It was not that God wasn’t there, in my eyes as omnipresent and omnipotent God is everywhere, but God wasn’t in my heart that day, God wasn’t invited. I soldiered on for a long while, telling myself marriage was still the same in church or what difference would it really make? I fell into only what I can describe as a spiritual black hole up until a couple of years ago, when on May Day, reflecting on the crowning of our lady in church I felt filled with love and this sudden need to go back to my faith.
In the Catholic Church, for a marriage to be valid it has to be performed in church and so six months ago I asked my husband if he would be willing to convalidate our marriage - to have it recognised and strengthened and most importantly in my eyes, be in the presence of God whilst we reaffirm our love and commitment to one another. Not only did he agree, but he agreed what I consider the ultimate sacrifice and agreed to forego any physical intimacy for six months prior in order for me to spiritually prepare for taking our vows in church. This meant that each Sunday I could receive communion (in the Catholic Church we believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and so this can only be received if you are in a state of Grace and have confessed and been absolved of your sins). My husband is not Catholic, not baptised and atheist and so this has been a gesture of deep love sacrifice and selflessness on his part that I will forever be greatful for. He has carried me through one of the darkest spiritual periods of my life into the light and allowed me to heal from within. And so this Saturday past, we took our vows in church surrounded by family and friends with a small buffet in the adjoining parish centre. I feel like the luckiest girl on earth and I can’t wait to share more images from our special day. For now here’s a peek Here is to marriage, to carrying each other in good times and bad, to honouring each other. Always.
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