Wedding bells - why marriage still matters

"When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible". ~ When Harry met Sally

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

On Saturday, my husband and I attended a wedding, a rare moment when we could slow down and enjoy a day filled with love and celebration.

The kind that reminds you why people still stand up in front of their families and friends and say "yes" to something bigger than themselves.

The ceremony was simple, set in the most beautiful of country settings, under a hot, sizzling sun.

There were no over-the-top displays or platitudes, no gushing proclaimations, just two people looking at each other like nothing else mattered.

There was laughter, some tears, and two people fainted due to the heat, despite being outside, but it reminded me that marriage still retains its value in a broader, ever-changing society.

As I sat and listened to the exchange of vows and declarations of love, I couldn't help but reflect on my own marriage.

Marriage is a deliberate act of choosing; that's what makes the union so powerful.

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash

It isn't all about the wedding, but about the days and the years that follow. You take a vow, an agreement to face the good and the bad together.

Showing up for each other when you least want to, when staying feels harder than packing your bags and heading into the sunset.

Although marriage has been declining as people no longer conform to societal values of marriage, that doesn't mean people don't believe in the idea of a long-lasting partnership.

Marriage is a conscious choice made by two people, rooted in self-respect, shared ideals, and a desire to be together every day.

A partnership that's built in the hours no one sees when you're sick, tired, stressed, or just trying to work it all out.

It's the kind of love that isn't flaky or soppy, and it's not what you find in the movies; it's a partnership that lasts through thick and thin, sick and sin.

Marriage is still a valued institution because it's not just about romance; it's about commitment. In a world constantly shifting, marriage declares: 'I choose you, today, tomorrow, forever.'

When you break it down, it's the exchanging of vows, two rings, and the words 'I do'; it's a monumental undertaking for two people to undertake.

People don't marry just because it's expected; they do it because they want to build a long-lasting relationship founded on love, to create a home, a life, a family, and a sense of belonging.

On Saturday, we toasted the couple numerous times following speeches and heartfelt messages.

Observing these two individuals in love, I was reminded that marriage is not a relic of the past, but a beacon of hope for building enduring partnerships in a world that is constantly shifting.

As I sat quietly, I toasted the past and present to my husband beside me, and to every little moment that makes this thing called marriage both ordinary and extraordinary.

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