When Richard asked me to marry him it felt like it was straight out of a movie. In fact, it was such a fairy tale ending that I was called immediately to tell it on the radio.
Little did we know, the fairy tale ending meant the real-life beginning.
We fought, like really fought. I cried...he walked off. At one point, even the pastor doing our marriage counselling told us we were at risk of postponing the date. We just were not ready and we simply could not get it together.
We thought we were doing it all wrong and were certain we made a mistake.
Hollywood and fake “Facebookers” have a way of portraying unrealistic relationships and weddings. Everyone in these worlds has limitless budgets, so whatever the bride wants she gets. WRONG. Let me be the first to tell you the truth. Even the humblest of weddings cost money that you don’t have. Those that borrow, regret it and those that don’t stress over it, realise years later they did the right thing. But in the actual moment, no one is running around carefree like you see on social media or in the Hallmark movies.
Newlyweds also have a way of posting only the best of the best. No one seems to want to say, “This guy is totally in my space and I am going crazy.” This is where I am super thankful for women who are as real as they come. My girls sat me down and told me just how rough their first few years of marriage were and they then told me that the years they now have, are all worth it.
You see, their honesty helped me. Not only did I not quietly feel like a major failure, but they were able to share their mistakes in hope that I can learn and avoid making the same ones. As we often joke, I will make loads of new ones, but I can’t make the same ones they did.
A few days to go, and I am so happy Jess was able to witness the struggles because now, her reality isn’t based on the romantic films she watches. She will know that those are as fake as can be and they are purely for entertainment.
As I close, I would like to invite anyone that hasn’t already seen the invitation. This Saturday, May 12th, I will be getting married in Woodford Square. Yes, you read it correctly. We wanted to spread our love because God knows the country needs it. We firmly believe that force and guns will not bring back our sweet T&T, but an outpouring of love will. From 3 pm we will have a traditional ceremony under the gazebo and after that, we will be blessing those less fortunate than ourselves with a love meal. If your finances allow it, bring a dish to share. If not, just bring your love.
I would also like to ask all my readers to keep us in your prayers this week. Our battles we know, are all spiritual and this is where we must fight. Pray for good weather, for a revival of community in our land and most of all pray for a revival of family life and committed marriages.
A good marriage is the foundation of a secure family and secure families are the foundation upon which great societies are sustained.
