10 years
On the day of our wedding, one of the girls who was helping out with the ceremony prep told me,
“Take time to savor today. It only happens once!”
And it hit me. This was it. My dad was walking up to me in his tux and I couldn’t believe the day was actually happening. I made a conscious effort during the whirlwind festivities to breathe and soak in as many memories as I could from that day:
Seeing all of our friends and family in the same place, celebrating together… some of whom are no longer with us.
Wondering if he’d shove cake in my face. (He didn’t.)
The speeches that had everyone in the room cracking up.
And my favorite part of the ceremony: The Hands Blessing. We had no idea what the pastor was going to do or say during the ceremony – we were pretty laid-back about the whole thing- and when he started on the Hands Blessing, I finally felt the tears that had been building up fall down my cheeks as I held the Pilot’s hands.
Thanks to a little Googling, I was able to find it online.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
It’s been 10 years since that very day, and so much has happened.
We’ve seen joy and sorrow.
Crazy and calm.
Picking up our lives with frequent moves.
Serenity and worry.
Swaddles, bottles, sleepless nights, and sweet baby snuggles.
The two biggest blessings I could ever wish for.
And a beautiful life with the man that I’m thankful for every day.
Now it’s time to find some champagne and cake.. 😉
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Happy anniversary!
This is so sweet! Happy anniversary to you two!
Happy anniversary!! I got the same advice on my wedding day, and it was so true. It isn’t often (or ever) that you get to throw a huge party where everyone you love is on the guest list. Enjoy the day together!
A huge congratulations to you and Tom, Gina! This was a very sweet post. I think my favorite thing was the picture of you guys getting married amongst the desert Saguaros. 🙂
Saguaros <3 Where did you get married?
Aw! Congrats, you two!
Aw congrats! What a special post for a very special day and people!
Happy Anniversary 😀
Happy Anniversary!!! <3
Happy 10th!! Beautiful family!
Happy anniversary! I never heard of the hands blessing but that is beautiful and so, so true. What a joyful read to start the weekend.
so happy you enjoyed it! thank you <3
Happy Anniversary!
thank you, friend!
Happy Anniversary! What beautiful words <3
thank you, brittany!
So sweet! Happy Anniversary!!!
thank you!
Happy Anni! 10 years is quite an accomplishment. Cheers to many more!
thank you so much!
Happy Anniversary!!!
thank you, harley!
Happy Anniversary!!
thanks, amanda!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!!
thank you!
Happy anniversary. They read that hands thing at a marriage retreat while we were engaged nine years ago and it has always stuck with me. I have pictures of our hands in black and white at different stages (engagement rings, wedding rings, touching my. Emmy when pregnant, holding babies, etc.) in our master because it always meant so much to me!!
love that so much <3
Gina, I have been reading your blog for 8 or 9 years now (omg, that is kind of creepy!). And, I’ve been through a called off wedding, a wedding, a divorce, and a baby So, not quite the same, but I’m loving every minute of life and I’m so glad you are too! Keep raising your amazing girls, and doing your thing!
thank you so much for reading for so long! so happy you’re happy <3 thank you for being here. xoxo
Happy Anniversary!!! Party it up!!
thank you!
Happy Anniversary Gina! Hope you get more wonderful moments in next coming decades. 🙂
thank you, shalini!
Oh my gosh, I love the hands blessing! That is so sweet 🙂 Happy Anniversary!
thank you! hope you enjoyed the weekend
Happy Anniversary!!! We also got married on the 18th of August, but “just” 5 years ago (and we also have two kiddos now, its just amazing right?!) Have a great day!!
anniversary twins 🙂 hope you had a great celebration, too!
Happy 10 years! We will be celebrating our ninth year next month!
Enjoy the cake and champagne!
Cheers to many more!
happy almost 9th to you! that is amazing
hope you enjoyed the weekend <3
Happy anniversary to you and Tom! You have such a beautiful family xoxo it’s 10 years for us this year too! Crazy how time flies. You were such a gorgeous bride and haven’t changed one bit!
happy 10 to you, too! thank you so much, friend <3
Happy anniversary! Hope you have a beautiful weekend celebrating!
The ‘Hand Blessing’ is beautiful…and so true. I am wiping away tears 🙂
Happy Anniversary and many more!!!!
<3 thank you!