Today is my wife’s and my 7th anniversary. We met by a black copy of The Book of Common Prayer. She was 19 and I was 27.
Marriage starts off with a lot of ‘schmoopie’ (Seinfeld); lots of ooeys and gooeys, but after awhile that wanes. It wanes because you realize how selfish you both are. It wanes because children further expose one’s selfishness. (How can you be googley-eyed when the only thing that is ooey gooey is the caca butt on the changing table?)
S and I had a whole month for our honeymoon. We prayed the Daily Office from a Franciscan Prayer book four times everyday. We still pray together, but not with that initial frequency. Still, I can’t help but wonder how much that set the tone for our mariage and how much God has protected us from many pitfalls (and created other pitfalls for us to get through).
Our culture promotes nerve-ending titilation as the definition of all relationships. Marriage is definitely not without pleasure (hey, we have three kids!), but it is hard work. The thing is, that work is worth it.
It is an honor to be a husband and a father. It is an honor to love my wife. In fact, there is no honor greater.
A quote from one of your own Padre that I’ve heard you mention before…
“Marriage hath in it less of beauty but more of safety, than the single life; it hath more care, but less danger, it is more merry, and more sad; it is fuller of sorrows, and fuller of joys; it lies under more burdens, but it is supported by all the strengths of love and charity, and those burdens are delightful.”
— Anglican Bishop Jeremy Taylor (Seventeenth Century)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
Yeah. Happy Anniversary, Neo and Trinity. Your love for each other and for the fruits of your marital labors (Macrena, Caroline and Luke) is a tangible part of the joy in our congregation. God has richly blessed you and us with your marriage.
Happy Anniversary Fr. Neo. I’ve always admired your marriage. It was certainly a privilege for me to be a part of your wedding. Who would have thought you would be a part of mine less than 7 seven years later? Thanks for being a solid example for Marky Mark and I(tell “Trinity” that too).
With love, MPN