Nineteen years ago . . .



Nineteen years ago today,
on a Thanksgiving weekend,
I walked down a curved wooden staircase
to the beautiful music of a woodwind quintet.
I made my way past family and close friends
to meet up with my best friend,
waiting for me,
standing in front of a fireplace
with a crackling fire, and a minister.
There were vows and promises
and they were sealed with a kiss.
It was our marriage,
nineteen years ago today.

"A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet
and two solos at the same time."

- Ann Taylor Fleming


Two years ago, we went home to Chicago to celebrate my in-law's 50th Wedding Anniversary at a quaint Bed and Breakfast. It just so happened that it was the very same place we were married and that day, a Saturday, was also our anniversary and these are the exact stairs I walked down.

When we were dating we used to read to each other from Kahlil Gibran's book, The Prophet.
It was from that book of poetic essays that he read this at our ceremony:

"Then Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not in each other's keeping.
For the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

This is the room where we promised to take each other's hands and walk through life together, loving each other along the way. And with a house so full of charm and antiques it made for quite a romantic day.

This would be one of the most important rooms, and that's where all the food is served! It looked a bit different on our wedding day as she does a custom tablescape to your liking.

And this is, Oscar Swan Inn, Bed and Breakfast, Guest House, Country Inn. The place where we started our journey together, and it was just as wonderful two years ago as it was on our wedding day!

{Photo credit, Forever Photos, now retired}

A place that if I had to choose all over again, and to the love of my life, I would, and I do. I love you!

Kim,

XO