Friday, February 8, 2008

I Got Married . . . Again

First off, I am in the running for a prize. Please visit The Writer's Roundabout and vote for me (on the right side of the front page) while you're checking out Rebecca's awesome blog!

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I got married yesterday. Yeah, really, I got married. Let me explain . . .

T is Catholic and I am Protestant. We were married in a Lutheran Church over 11 years ago without the Catholic church's permission or knowledge. Uh. Oh. We lived in wedded "bliss" not knowing that we were committing a MORTAL SIN. Kind of exciting . . . I mean, horrible and should be corrected right away. Ahem.

Now that J is getting baptized it is IMPERATIVE that T is right with THE Church. This means our marriage must be convalidated--recognized by the church. What does this mean? We had to say our vows again in the Catholic Church with a priest. Sounds simple enough, huh?

I thought we were just going to stand in front of the priest, say a few words and that was it. But NO. We had witnesses, I wore a skirt, he wore a suit coat, there were flowers, and music. No kidding. It really wasn't a big deal, but it certainly felt bigger than what I had initially thought. T called me around 2 pm yesterday and asked, "Can you wear something nice?" WHAT? I was thinking my khaki pants and blue sweater. I mean, you are talking to someone who rarely gets out of her pj's!

As we got ready, J screamed and whined (I was thinking, "Is this a sign???"), I struggled to put on my skirt and tights and complained about not having lost all the baby fat and that my thighs should not have to go through this--be sucked in like sausages into the way-too-small tights. T said, "I didn't complain at YOUR wedding." I cocked my eyebrow and said, "Yeah, that's right, you didn't. You were still HUNGOVER." (To be honest, J is NOT much of a drinker, but since he lived in Georgia at the time and the wedding was in Michigan, he had his bachelor party the night before--smart move.)


When we pulled in to the church parking lot my friend, co-worker (teacher) and witness walked across the parking lot carrying flowers. "The bride has got to have flowers," she said. For a very brief moment I wondered if I could have still fit into my wedding dress. Ugh, why torture myself. A moment later another friend/teacher pulled up with her husband. Then T's witness came with another friend of T's. We piled into the church--J by this time turned into a little angel (thank Heaven for small miracles). We stood in the back of the empty church while the priest went over instructions. I giggled and quipped that this was the quickest rehearsal ever!

T and I took our places (yes, we were going to walk down the aisle) and the priest excused himself for a moment and came back with MUSIC. Oh Wow. I make faces at J (who sat smiling in my friend's arms). The priest took his place in front of the alter and T and I began to walk toward the smiling faces of our friends, the priest, and our baby boy, J. It was then that it hit me. . .

Classic music played from a tape player, I carried a small store-bought bouquet, I wore a simple outfit--there wasn't a choir, an organist, a church full of people, no attendants, no fancy dress, no tuxes, no decorations. It didn't matter. As we stood facing one another I thought about the last 11 years. We've seen deaths, births, we've weathered so much, and shared in so many joys. We have a son. A beautiful baby boy that has made it ALL worth it. I love this man. I really, really do. He drives me nuts (I am CERTAIN that I drive him even more nuts) at times, but not nearly as many times as he makes me smile.

As I held his hands I realized that I am so blessed. Me. God blessed me. Although this was a simple ceremony, just a formality really, it was an amazing reminder of this marriage, these vows, this life I've lead and the value it holds. Wow.

Here we are over 11 years ago:And at our second "wedding" yesterday:

And you know . . . dress or no dress . . . I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

31 comments:

Angela DeRossett said...

Aww... congrats on your second wedding! Love the pictures!

Momisodes said...

Oh! that was so sweet :) Congratulations!

I love your wedding pictures, then and now!

I have to said...but ROFL at- "Can you wear something nice?"

Jen said...

Congratulations (again)! What a great reminder of your love.

You looked great!

girlymom said...

What a sweet reminder and a special day! Congratulations and may you have many more years of happiness together.

Enjoy the honeymoon you newlyweds!! :)

Jenn said...

For a minute there I thought you were going to say that you got cold feet!! Congrats!

SHW said...

Hi, found you at Cre8Buzz. Love your page! Congrats on the "real" wedding!

OHmommy said...

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwww.... AAAAAaaaaaWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

Congrats on your special day and on one of the sweetest post I ever read!

Pam said...

Does this mean you get two anniversaries? Cool!

Seriously- congrats! What a nice reminder of your love and life together. Thanks for the pictures!

Kellan said...

WEll ... Congratulations - WOW!! That's cool to have two weddings - cool! Have a great honeymoon (tee hee)! See ya - Kellan

Anonymous said...

that was such a great post..

CONGRATS.

tommie said...

that is so sweet! Love the pictures. Do you get a second honeymoon?

suchsimplepleasures said...

mazel tov, as we say in the jewish religion...means congrats!! i think it's funny...er...so glad you had this little oversight rectified...
xoxo
congratulations!!!!!!

Lindsey said...

Ok...so now I'm the one crying...that's the kind of rare love that I have for my husband! What a meaningful post! Congrats!

P.S. Glad you are no longer livin' in sin...hahaha!

Unknown said...

Congrats! I was reading something like this onthe Buzz tonight on someone's wall, but I figured you'd post. I am STILL living in sin. Totally! Thing is, I'm quite contents, so it's all good for now.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

My catholic husband and I (protestant) were married in a prot. church 13 years ago. He hadn't gone to church since CCD. His mother made this comment..."Well you won't be married in the eyes of the catholic church. I know you will be married because I'll be there, but it's not official". I smacked her, I mean I smiled and said something to the effect of I am sorry you feel this way. So I guess we have been living in sin like you. My girls are being raised Prot. because I am the one who takes them to church.
I am happy that you got to get married "again". Did you get to register somewhere and get presents too?

Allie Boniface said...

That is so awesome... congratulations!!

Laski said...

Thanks for the comments and the congrats! My honeymoon was fab! We went to the living room, a fantastic place, awesome ambiance, where I proceeded to fold laundry, husband watch ESPN, and baby played in his Exersaucer--it was a magical night.

Lindsey said...

Oh how sweet!! Congrats on your marriage...again to the same man!! You two look so happy in both your pictures!! Congrats!!

kidsinstl said...

Congrats! My husband and I did the same thing after the birth of our first child. But the first time was by a judge. The second time in the church. It does turn out special.

Karen said...

Awww, that's so sweet. Now you can have a wonderful romantic valentine's weekend for your second honeymoon. Get a sitter, get a room and have a good time.

Lori said...

Well...congrats are in order! What a great post - you had me giggling in the beginning, and I got goosebumps by the end!

Burgh Baby said...

Congratulations, newlyweds! Your wedding photos are both fantastic. So where are you going for your honeymoon?

Aliki2006 said...

Oh, beautiful! And congratulations!

Kat said...

Ack! I'm bawling! That was so beautiful. I just love your writing.
Congratulations on your 2nd wedding and your fabulous marriage! It sounds wonderful!

I think saying the vows again 11 years later is even MORE significant than the first time, because you really KNOW what they mean and what marriage entails.
Beautiful!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Wow, how awesome. Sincerest congrats! You look fantastic! Now, where's the honeymoon? :)

Amy said...

Congrats! I think this is so awesome! It had to be great to have your little one there too.

Cynthia said...

Oh, that was sweet! Thanks for sharing the pics:)

Mom said...

Sorry guess I should have kept reading, see I shouldn't' read blogs till I have completely finished my 3rd cop of coffee!!!

tulipmom said...

I loved this post! Congratulations on your second wedding! I have to agree with kathryn that there is something even MORE special about the second time.

Both photos are just beautiful!

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

How exciting! I would love to marry my hubby all over again and I would so try to fit into my dress (unsuccessfully of course!).

We have a similiar situation, I am Catholic but my hubby is nothing so we married in the United Church. Our kids were baptized United though so it didn't matter.
But if it meant we could get married again.....

hee hee!

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I just found you somehow... lol and I LOVE THIS STORY!

Congratulations!
:-) Beth

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