Aspects of Love

Yesterday I was the florist, Marriage Celebrant and MC at the wedding of some really dear friends of mine. It was a day of such  joy and happiness that it seemed to encompass Love in all of it's many aspects.


My friends are in their early sixties and it was a second marriage for both of them. Neither have children. The bride was divorced, the bridegroom, a widower, so this was love in the autumn years and their shared happiness was a joy to see and a privilege to be a part of.


These words by French writer, Victor Hugo of 'Les Misérables' renown, (written in a letter to Adele Foucher, first love and later, wife) aptly encapsulate their relationship - 
                     
'When two souls, which have sought each other for,
however long in the throng, have finally found each other ...a union, 
fiery and pure as they themselves are... begins on earth and continues forever in heaven.
This union is love, true love, ... a religion, which deifies the loved one, whose life comes
from devotion and passion, and for which the greatest sacrifices are the sweetest delights.'


Ever since love blossomed between my friends, as friends and family, we have all basked in the glow of their love and happiness, like flowers soaking up the suns' warmth or a refreshing shower of rain on a summers' day. Their love is infectious. Throughout the ceremony and the whole wedding celebrations Love was displayed in so many different ways.


This is not surprising of course  because such a love between two people who discover such a depth of love between them can't help but be contagious to those around them.


‘The most wonderful of all things in life is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a growing depth, beauty and joy. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvellous thing.  It cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of divine accident, and the most wonderful of all things in life.’ So said the New Zealand born, English write, Sir Hugh Walpole.


How true, for such a love is eternal. People may die but a love such as this never dies, It lives on forever. 

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes
it has gone through to achieve that beauty.  ~ Anon

My friends were surrounded and uplifted by love yesterday and they not only enriched themselves on their wedding day they enriched everyone celebrating with them. Their obvious love for one another was a reminder to everyone present, of the importance of the love in each of our lives, and that such a gift should not be taken lightly. 

There is an anonymous  saying I came across some years ago that says 'we delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty ,' and such it is with most of us. Both my friends had gone through numerous testing times in their lives and neither ever thought they would again find such a depth of love as they now share. Then when they least expected it love came into their lives with a joy they could scarcely have imagined.

All of the family and friends present had walked all or part of journey of life with this couple. They had been there for them in their happy times as well as in their darkest moments. In different ways we had each added aspects of  love  and friendship to their respective circles of life - circles that with their marriage became one glorious, enfolding and uplifting circle of love and friendship.

Family members spoke of their love and friends expressed theirs, either in the readings they shared during the ceremony, in the stories and wishes expressed or the toasts proposed throughout the reception. 

Being a part of this experience was quite overwhelming and emotional for everyone there, but oh, such a privilege and such a blessing. Memories of my friend's wedding day will always hold a special place in my heart - because they will remind me of the love I shared with my husband and of course - still share. Bitter sweet memories, for with great love comes great pain but nothing can take away the memories of such a love. Not even death. So keep love in your heart, cherish it, nourish it  and rejoice to see the love shared by a couple who choose to affirm such a love in the age old ceremony of marriage.

‘Keep Love in your heart

A life without it is like a sunless garden

when all the flowers are dead 

The consciousness of loving and being loved

brings a warmth and richness to life

that nothing else can bring.’

Oscar Wilde

To my beautiful newly-wed friends I wish every blessing, every joy on your journey together in following your bliss.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing