Mr. Lee, Mr. Lee

January 26, 2011 | 11 comments

I went searching for the love story, so I pulled the DVD from the cabinet. It’s been almost 14 years since we said “I do,” but we’d never watched our wedding video.

Until yesterday.

We’d always meant to watch it on an anniversary or Valentine’s Day or a lazy Sunday afternoon. But the memories etched into the cerebrum always seemed to offer playback enough. Over time, the details of the day never seemed to grow fuzzy.

Or so I thought.

I put the video in the slot for the first time and pushed play.

I swooned at how fresh our love, and how young our faces. I fell in love all over again with that Norwegian blonde and his blue-blue eyes, and that X-acto knife hair part that he still wears all these years later.

I remembered again the tummy-flips when Dad led me — all satin — to the altar.

And I recalled how Scott fidgeted with the diamond on my finger when he said the forever-words. He whispered that our wedding singers were “so good together,” and on the playback, I could make out the response on my lips: “So are we.”

Yes, I remembered the kiss and the candlelight and the cala lilies, too.

But until I watched the video, I didn’t remember what love felt like at age 24. And to think I thought our love was so very deep in 1996.

“Oh, Jennifer,” I whispered to the bride on the screen, “you had only a dim view of true love.”

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Cor. 13:7.

We’d hoped things, yes.
But at age 24,
we’d endured little
bore little
believed little.

Then, love happened.

It grew in trenches, and in the clinging, and in the tenderness of swaddled babies, and abandoned careers, and the moving home, and the pain of loss, and the joy of discovering who we are to the other, and in the growing up, and in the letting go, and in the knowledge that indeed, the one thing that held us together was not our own resolve, but a greater Love.

For God came to dwell in us,
and among us,
and filled the distance between us.

And it made our love grow deeper, compelled us to put down roots here on this Iowa farm where we’d never imagined ourselves to be back when we stood at the altar.

Yes, this must be true love, nearly 14 years after we said “yes” to forever.

Still, I wonder how I might react when, some 14 years from now, I return to these words. Might I say to myself: “Oh, Jennifer, you had only a dim view of true love back then.”

I suppose I will. Yes, I’m sure of it.

“Now I know in part; then I shall know fully …” — 1 Cor. 13:12

This is repost from the archives.
Because we’re gone for the day.
Just the two of us! This bride is grinning.

PHOTO: Wedding day photo; cake-toppers from Grandma Eunice and Grandpa Milo’s wedding.

Submitted as part of Ann Voskamp’s weekly Walk With Him series. This week we consider “The Practice of Marriage,” a prelude to Valentine’s Day.

by dukeslee | January 26, 2011 | 11 comments

11 Comments

martha68 on January 26, 2011 at 5:36 am

i love this! the weddings i have attended recently have brought similar thoughts to mind. i think, "you have no idea what forever means…or love." i know i didn't. it is so good when the ceremony is done in the context of worship b/c w/o Christ and a Body of believers for support, i don't know how any couple can "make it". this past fall we celebrated our 42nd anniv. the time has flown! God has been very gracious.
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Melissa @ Breath of Life on January 26, 2011 at 2:12 pm

So very true…how little we know of love when we pledge to love forever.

Enjoy your day away!
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Diana on January 27, 2011 at 1:18 am

Great post! Now I feel like looking at the video and pictures of my own wedding. I have been on both sides of marriage, with God and without, and I totally agree with what martha68 said, a marriage without God cannot last. I thank him everyday for my godly husband!

May God continue to watch over your marriage and may he shower you with unending blessings.
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Laura on January 27, 2011 at 2:23 am

And I do hope you are having fun ;).

Beautiful, Jennifer. Just beautiful.
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Linda on January 27, 2011 at 3:50 am

Yes, it grows and changes and is deeper and richer. This was lovely Jennifer.
Have the happiest of days!
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Jackie on January 27, 2011 at 6:37 am

Love this!

Many blessings to you and your beloved for the years to come.

My beloved and I have celebrated 35 years of growing in love with one another and with Him. My how quickly the journey of "forever-ness" moves along. But thank God that He's always with us every step of the way!

HE IS FAITHFUL!
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Michelle on January 27, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Have a wonderful day!!
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Jennifer on January 27, 2011 at 9:48 pm

I was looking at my husband just the other night and thinking the same thing–I only "thought" I loved Him then. Praying God will make you grow deeper and deeper in love with your husband.
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Joan Davis on January 27, 2011 at 10:48 pm

Thanks for sharing of your love which has grown deeper through the years. Blessings to both of you!

Living for Him, Joan
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Debra on January 28, 2011 at 5:31 am

We know so little and learn to love so much. I know exactly what you talk of. We are approaching 12 years come March. Hope your getaway was an amazing celebration!
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Imperfect on January 28, 2011 at 1:17 pm

My husband and I are coming up on our third anniversary. I like to watch our wedding video each year for the very reasons you describe. Thank you for the beautiful picture of love grown over time. I so look forward to that seeing that same growth in my own life.
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