Joy
There is a video currently making its way through the ether, perhaps you have seen it. It features a wedding party’s merry entrance down the aisle at the start of the ceremony. One hears the beginning of an upbeat, fairly raucous, piece of music.... the doors fly open and one by one - or pair by pair - bridesmaids and groomsmen, dancing in exuberant free style, make their way into the church, followed eventually by a somersaulting groom and a frolicking bride. The longer I watched this, the broader my grin became, until naturally... I was crying.
Such joy!
Such felicity!
This is what marriage should be.
I thought about that video again today when I realized it was the anniversary of the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and the former Lady Diana. The Wedding of the Century. Like multitudes of people around the world, I watched on that early morning 28 long years ago, enraptured by the intoxicating pageantry that seemed to radiate through the streets of London all the way to the altar of St. Paul’s. It was the very manifestation of a fairy tale. Or so we all thought at the time. Knowing what we know now, it is difficult to watch that ceremony without feeling a bitter lump of sadness tightening the throat.
So many weddings every single year. How does one know it will last? I have been fortunate beyond measure in my life, for the joy I felt on my wedding day remains even now after so many years. The Songwriter is still my favourite person on the planet. He makes me coffee every morning, makes me laugh everyday and rubs my feet every night. He is wonderful. I know I am one of the lucky ones, and I am grateful. I offer no advice however. I simply pray for everyone who chooses someone with whom to share their life till the end of their days, may the merriment so visible in this new wedding video remain with you always.
For, I know that it can.
If you haven’t seen the video, you can watch it HERE.
“The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.”
Plutarch
There is a video currently making its way through the ether, perhaps you have seen it. It features a wedding party’s merry entrance down the aisle at the start of the ceremony. One hears the beginning of an upbeat, fairly raucous, piece of music.... the doors fly open and one by one - or pair by pair - bridesmaids and groomsmen, dancing in exuberant free style, make their way into the church, followed eventually by a somersaulting groom and a frolicking bride. The longer I watched this, the broader my grin became, until naturally... I was crying.
Such joy!
Such felicity!
This is what marriage should be.
I thought about that video again today when I realized it was the anniversary of the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and the former Lady Diana. The Wedding of the Century. Like multitudes of people around the world, I watched on that early morning 28 long years ago, enraptured by the intoxicating pageantry that seemed to radiate through the streets of London all the way to the altar of St. Paul’s. It was the very manifestation of a fairy tale. Or so we all thought at the time. Knowing what we know now, it is difficult to watch that ceremony without feeling a bitter lump of sadness tightening the throat.
So many weddings every single year. How does one know it will last? I have been fortunate beyond measure in my life, for the joy I felt on my wedding day remains even now after so many years. The Songwriter is still my favourite person on the planet. He makes me coffee every morning, makes me laugh everyday and rubs my feet every night. He is wonderful. I know I am one of the lucky ones, and I am grateful. I offer no advice however. I simply pray for everyone who chooses someone with whom to share their life till the end of their days, may the merriment so visible in this new wedding video remain with you always.
For, I know that it can.
If you haven’t seen the video, you can watch it HERE.
“The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.”
Plutarch
46 AD - 120 AD
I agree - the video is just so joyous and charming. I regret my marriage, but learned much from the experience (am now happily separated). Congratulations on your long happiness!
ReplyDeleteWalking down the aisle we all believe its forever.....its so good that we don't know what the future holds.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, watching Lady Diana Spencer like the fairy princess and Prince Charles dead pan, filled me with foreboding, I had already been married for almost a quarter of a century and had found that mariage is a bed of roses, with only the thorns on show at certain times. It has lasted for 51years, not always happy ones, but we have rubbed the corners off each other. Now I do get my greakfast made and my feet rubbed...what a few days in an induced coma after a touch-and -go op. will do to a man!
ReplyDeleteI wish the world were as full of happiness as obviously your marriage is, continuing joy in ones heart is a wonderful thing.
Pamela~ I have seen this video and each time I see it, it I enjoy it a bit more. I too, got up early all those years ago and ate strawberries in bed watching the royal wedding. A good marriage is full of ebbs and flows-being thankful each day helps to keep things fresh.
ReplyDeleteHello P&E,
ReplyDeleteI saw the clip a few days ago along with a second one at which the wedding party danced for the guests. They were good to see. But no-one knows what the future holds and it certainly won't always be a bed of roses!
I have watched that "Forever" video and felt all giddy inside wishing that I had added that element of spontaneity at my ceremony long ago, but we did have
ReplyDeletefun at the reception, after we had sealed the deal with our maker. I think faith in each other helps, family and friends and then good times.
My parents will celebrate 61 years this August. They look for good in everything and always add a dose of fun love to our life. I am thankful for all the love they exude.
pve
How can you watch this and not be filled with joy? I saw it over at Stevie Wren's and thought it was wonderful. Congratulations on your marriage. We're celebrating 31 in a few weeks!
ReplyDeleteI will view the link provided regarding the happy video in just a sec. I remember the watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Dianna vividly, what I was doing that day, the weather that day, the guest I had over that day, etc.
ReplyDeleteNow, all that aside, I am seriously concerned. I think we are married to the same man. :-D
That was just brilliant! If I had my time over again I'd do a version of that myself. We shall have made it to 37 years this coming Saturday - and I have to confess that even if we were still in our mid 20s I'm pretty certain that the bridesmaids,best man and groomsmen along with the bride would be doing it on their own with the bridegroom waiting in his traditional place at the front:):)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I so agree, watching the Royal wedding again yesterday was hard knowing the outcome. She deserved a great love didn't she? I must say I am a bit cynical when people go over the top about happy ever after. I love hearing stories such as yours that it does come true. But I was one of those who was married for 22 yrs. & it was quite the opposite. The good news is I am married now to a great man. I was always a late bloomer!!
ReplyDeleteI was married for almost 31 years until death parted us. A happy (not perfect) marriage is one of life's greatest blessings. Continue to enjoy yours!
ReplyDeleteI too watched the wedding from start to finish - it was like a fairy tale, and then it ended so sadly.
ReplyDeleteI love your dancing harlequin and columbine - I have a harlequin figure I bought some years ago in Venice - I love him dearly.
many roads to happiness in life, marriage being one of them :)
ReplyDeleteHilarious clip – I loved it! They are going to be happy. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteHenry and I got married on a boat circling my hometown of Manhattan. We danced too. Un-traditional wedding are fun.
I remember watching Lady Di get married on TV. Has it really been than long? Your match sounds even more magical because it is full of true love.
Of all my choices in my life, the best one has been my husband. It will be 34 years in several weeks. To the world we look like opposites: he very quiet, cautious with his words; me, more gregarious and often suffering from hoof and mouth disease. But to ourselves we one person who sees the world the same way. I hope this couple is able to dance through life with laughter and some great moves to soften the bumps in the road. Congratulations to you and the songwriter for finding each other and Edward, too.
ReplyDeleteFantastic - I am going to a wedding of a friend next week and I have sent them this link to youtube to inspire them both!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderfully happy video that was! i remember that other far off wedding, such a happy beginning, such a sad ending. We never know the way our paths are going to turn.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should have dedicated my "Love Letters" post to you and the songwriter as well.
ReplyDeleteI adore this and am admiring and heartened when I witness love. You are so blessed and I feel, rightly so. I watched that video and must admit I could not stop grinning, so I watched it again.
That's quite beautiful, Pamela. So lovely to hear you're so contented, too. I think I am, although I don't get coffee or footrubs very often...
ReplyDeletePS I've tagged you to do a meme over on my blog, but I won't be in the least offended if you feel you'd rather not.
I love this. How wonderful. I hadn't seen the video yet.
ReplyDeleteI love that the people are having fun and not trying to be too cool for school.
Thanks dear one.
Love Renee xoxo
I too am lucky like you Pamela....nearly 27 years of it, xv.
ReplyDeleteMarriage is such a beautiful, happy thing to celebrate! A few weeks ago I experienced something new wedding-wise: weddings of children of my friends! It's a whole new kind of joy for me, to see young people I've known for so long take that big step. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Pamela. Having been in a marriage that didn't work and now in one that does, I wish I could tell the young not-yet-married people in my life what it is that made the difference. I can say though, after watching that wedding video several times over the past week, that if those feelings of joy so evident in their dance are really REAL, they stand a better chance than the couples who put on a big show because that's how they want to be seen or feel it's what is expected of them. (ooh, sorry, my unromantic cynic is showing!!)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that Charles and Diana's wedding was so long ago. I too set my alarm and got up early to watch every minute. Just as I did for the sadder ceremony of Diana's funeral. I love that youtube video of the dancing bridal procession! May this couple be more fortunate and happier than that ill-fated British royal couple.
ReplyDeleteI had a good chuckle watching the video...and a tear in my eye thinking of poor Diana.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and the songwriter decades of happiness together. I love to hear the feel good stories.
I saw that video on the news and it also made me smile! Even more so for the elderly grandmother clapping her hands to the music in the front right pew.
ReplyDeleteI've got the same type of marriage as you, Pamela, and I am eternally grateful.
That video is so much fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteI can still vividly remember watching Charles and Diana's wedding--I was away at summer camp where TVs weren't allowed, but they brought one in so we wouldn't miss the big event. We all gathered around to watch it on that small TV with awful reception. All us girls were just giddy over Diana's dress and all the pomp and circumstance involved. Too bad everything that came after the wedding didn't live up to the promise of the ceremony!
P.S. My daughter loves the picture of your dog wearing that cute hat. She just walked in behind me and squealed. :-)
I smiled until tears came when I first saw that "Forever" clip...and we may not have danced down an aisle but I know how lucky I have been with Mr O at my side:)
ReplyDeletePamela, you and the Songwriter are a blessed pair! :)
ReplyDelete