Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Lovely Long Weekend

To those of you who posted comments last week, thank you so much for the birthday wishes! I had a wonderful evening with my husband. I know that Thursday wasn’t really a part of this particular long weekend, but it still felt like a weekend to me, so I’m including it.

Daniel and I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant that we had never tried before or even heard much about, and I’m not sure that was the best decision on my part. I was really hungry after work and didn’t want to drive far to get a meal. The food was pretty good, but it seemed to be much more of a lunch place than a dinner place, and they were out of a lot of the options on the menu. This was interesting, since we arrived to a completely empty restaurant… which also happened to be absolutely freezing, so we left pretty quickly after Daniel finished his burger. To say that he is a much faster eater than me would be an understatement—I took most of my chicken Caesar salad wrap to go so that I could stop shivering.

The important thing, though, was that Daniel and I got to spend the evening together. He gave me a beautiful diamond journey necklace, which I proudly wore to dinner (as though I had chosen someplace fancy). I’ve never owned any real diamond jewelry before other than my engagement and wedding rings, so I was very excited. Daniel, as usual, was very cute in asking over and over again whether I was sure I liked his gift. Of course, I assured him over and over again that I loved it. He always gives the best gifts.

When I got home, I took the necklace off and placed it in the top drawer of the jewelry box Daniel handmade for my birthday in 2006. Every time I open one of the drawers, I stick my nose into it. It still smells like whatever wood stain he used. I love that smell. Like I said, he always gives the best gifts. I am so lucky.

On Saturday, we attended the wedding of a college friend—the first since our own nearly four months ago! This one was a Catholic wedding within a Mass, like ours, and in the same chapel that we were married in. Everything about it was lovely, from the sunny afternoon to the groom’s smile to the abundant sunflowers, and of course the bride! The bride and groom were so clearly full of joy; I didn’t expect to, but I cried. A little. At the reception, Daniel and I were the second ones to sit down during the married couples dance (the bride and groom had to sit down first). It was beautiful watching all those husbands and wives swaying together, until only two couples remained on the floor, married over fifty years.

The next day, Sunday, marked five years since Daniel and I first began dating. I can’t imagine how it must feel to have been married as long as those couples—ten times longer than Daniel and I have even been together, which feels like so long to us—but I look forward to finding out.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah,

What are some of the struggles of marriage? Obviously, blending two lives into one cannot be easy at times. Marriage is an amazing sacrament, and I hope to one day be called to mirror Christ's love in the world through the sacrament of marriage. However, I think us single gals out there need to know some of the areas you really worked as an individual and as a couple to prepare for, along with areas you wish you had prepared more for.

God Bless!

Jessica said...

Hi Sarah,

Despite my disagreement with your last article in Family Foundations, I started reading your blog here and enjoy reading about someone whose life parallels mine so closely. I am also a 23-year-old Catholic woman with a degree in communication who was married recently to a man I've been with for five years. I look forward to reading more of your blog.

Jessica

Unknown said...

Hi Sarah,

I've always been meaning to write a comment on your blog...I can't believe you've been keeping it for over a year now!! I learned about foryourmarriage last summer and starting visiting it right before you started your blog, so when they advertised it I started reading from week one and have been faithful ever since.

Your story interests me because it reminds me of my own in many ways - I am a 24-yr-old Catholic working for the Church in Wash, DC who is engaged to be married (although I wasn't when I started reading your blog!) to a wonderful Catholic man who I started dating five years ago this month also (we also met in college).

So your blog has been perfect timing - a sneak-peek for what I have ahead! God bless you and Daniel

Dustin said...

Hi Sarah!

I just found your blog and I am excited to follow it! My wife and I are a fellow young Catholic couple enjoying our married life. However, we are not quite as young as you (I'm 30 and she's almost 29) so we have encountered many of the issues young marriages must deal with in the early years. We also teach at our local Pre-Cana weekend so that has given us some valuable perspective.

I actually just started my own blog about three weeks ago with the aim of helping young couples have an awesome marriage. Please check it out and let me know what you think. You and Daniel are exactly the type of couple I hope to connect with and help!

Thanks,
Dustin
www.EngagedMarriage.com

Anonymous said...

Sarah,

My fiance and I just returned from Engaged Encounter. It was great. We definitely recommend it to other couples!

KT