Thursday Thoughts : 310 Days

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” 

I've had quite a few people come up to me since getting engaged and advising me that I'm way to young to marry... ya know, I might be young, however I don't think marriage is about age... sure 8yr olds shouldn't be running off to get married, but once you hit legal age, marriage shouldn't be this unheard of thing, that is almost a cultural taboo. 

Society has this mindset where they want to keep people from responsibility as long as possible....  Society has this mindset if you aren't making 60 grand a year marriage is impossible... Society has this mindset that you'll be more ready at 30 than 18.... no matter what, no one is fully prepared for marriage, regardless of the age. Marriage is full of surprises. I know couples who got married after years of living together, and there was still so much to learn.

Then there's maintaining purity, I know not everyone is adamant about this in their relationship, but if you know you're getting married, why rock the boat, and draw out the temptation. The longer you date the easier it is to fall into sexual sin, and lust. Now don't get me wrong, this shouldn't be the main reason for marriage, but Paul even says if you are unable to control yourself, it's better to marry. 

Now some people aren't ready to get married, some people who are both in college might have a bit of trouble, and waiting till after college is perfect;y acceptable. Some people aren't in a place emotionally, or spiritually where marriage is realistic, however you should work to get to the place where you are able to.

Last but not least, while James and I began contemplating marriage we decided to do a little research and studying.... and we came across a book, 'Young and in Love,' I definitely suggest you pick it up for a few dollars on amazon if you have any intentions of marrying young or becoming engaged. 

Wedding Wednesday : 311 Days

Wedding Wednesday on a wedding blog? ...Yeah I'm not too sure either! I suppose on Wednesdays I'll start posting neat ideas for my wedding, or possibly even for your own! 

I may have never given much thought to my wedding, but as a girl who loves writing, I always thought exchanging love letters the morning/day of the wedding would be really neat. There's no outline I can give of what to write, if you choose to do this make it come from your heart not some wedding blog online.

Not only is this important, but praying with him before the wedding is also important to me. I know tradition says you can't let the groom see you, and he doesn't have to! Each of you stand on one side of a door and hold hands, you could even stand back to back if you trust yourselves enough not to cheat! Either way, I know that moment alone before my wedding will be important! It's a good thing to follow up the letter exchange with!

Now if you're opposed to the above idea, here's something that isn't traditional, yet it doesn't involve seeing/talking to/or hearing the groom before the wedding. The picture above can either be a first fight box, or first anniversary box. The morning of the wedding you write each other a letter, then during the ceremony you set apart a time to put the letters in the box, possibly with a bottle of wine... in James and I's case, sparkling juice ;) But on your first anniversary, first fight, or whatever occasion you choose you open up the box and finally read the letters and share a drink. 

I take no credit at all for this box idea, I've found it on a few sites like interest, or some blogs I follow, still a neat idea that I wanted to share though! It can be used as an alternate for unity sand, or a unity candle or just a whole separate portion of the ceremony! 

I'm thinking next Wednesday might cover wedding cake ideas, or how to decorate your own cake :) Guess we'll see! 

-Kyla