Something More

So this past week has been very interesting! It's only the third week of this semester and we've already had a lot go down! First off Amos (Amy) and I got a new roommate. She was a real sweetie but she definitely had us worried with the amount of time she DIDN'T spend at home. Then last week she tells us she's getting kicked out of school because her fiance and her didn't follow the honor code. Then the next day she tells us she's getting married in the courthouse two days later. It was just like one thing after another the whole week. So Tuesday, the day of the wedding, rolls around and we're doing all we can to help her get ready for her "wedding". She shows us her dress just beaming about it. I look at it and the first thing I see is it's lack of sleeves. This is not at all what I had in mind when I think wedding dress. My idea was something more like this:

So that was a little surprising to me. Then I ask her how she's feeling and her response? Nervous, excited, scared, stressed, worried and anxious. These are also not the exact emotions I imagined someone to feel on their wedding day. I mean getting married is sort of a life altering decision. If you're feeling any doubts about it you probably should rethink your decision right? Even talking to my dad who said he was scared out of his mind on his wedding day, felt a different fear. He knew he was making the right decision but getting married is a brand new thing and walking into the daunting unknown is a scary situation. I just feel like you would feel more peace about the whole thing if it were the right thing to do and you kept God involved in your decision. Finally we finish helping her and head to the courthouse. I just couldn't get over the lack of beauty in comparison to the temple that was just six blocks up the street. To think of giving up such beauty because you lost sight of what you really wanted? That just makes me so sad.

VS

I just don't see how you could even question where you actually want to get married? It confuses me. So finally after a half hour wait we go into the courtroom to begin the ceremony. The chairs are a dull green. There are benches at the front with a podium for questioning. To think of all the fights and disputes that were settled in the very same room that they were going to get married in and try to start a new life from? That blew my mind. All I could think about is how weird this whole thing felt. This is not at all what I would ever wish upon anyone on their wedding day. As the judge started the vows I couldn't help but think about the fact that he had just repeated the exact same words for the couple before them. It was not unique or different. Not special or anything. It made me so sad. As he continued to READ the vows from a piece of paper he got to the part that says "Til death do you part". Til death? That is just another sad thought to think about. What if either of them were to die the very next day?? To only spend ONE day with the person you are in love with? Eternity promises that no matter when you die you can be with that one special person forever!! It was just quite sad. The entire thing. After we got home and our roommate and her new husband left I just sat and pondered about the events that had gone down. I can't help but be so grateful for the way I was brought up. The things that I was taught. I'm so grateful and happy to know that there's more! There's more to love and marriage than a "promise" that everyone repeats and has repeated before you. More than a sleeveless off white dress. More than a couple pictures taken on an iphone to "document" your wedding day. There is more. And I'm so grateful! Never settle for less than a temple sealing! For time and all eternity. That's where true happiness lies. :)