Wedding Words

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Gigi in Weddings Comments Off

jumping the broom

A few weekends ago we trekked to northern California for our nephew’s wedding. We decided to make it a road trip, typically we never drive anywhere more than 2 hours. We arrived to Livermore, a little quaint town in the wine country, after 6 hours on the road, to an activity filled weekend, celebrating a birth, a nuptial and a bridal shower, btw all these were for different family members.

I love weddings, I love everything about them, the flowers, invitations, the gowns, rings, decor, themes, colors- I love all of it! Not enough to be a wedding photographer, I’m content at being the guest with a camera.

My anniversary is around the corner, we will be celebrating 27 years on July 23- so after witnessing the exchange of vows of this young couple I could not help but to reflect about my own marriage and all of our experiences.

Like most modern wedding ceremonies, the couple wrote their own heartfelt vows, expressing their love for one another. I thought about my own marriage and my commitment regardless of the challenges we encountered over the years. When we got married we did not write our vows nor did we have a traditional wedding with all the trimmings, we eloped to Hawaii and had a simple ceremony. Being the romantic I am if/when I decide to renew our vows with a ceremony I have a few poems files away for that special day hmmmm perhaps our 30th since we missed the 25th.

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

“Our Union” by Hafiz

Our union is like this: You feel cold, so I reach for a blanket to cover our shivering feet./

A hunger comes into your body, so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes./

You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance, and I quickly kneel by your side offering you a whole book as a gift./

You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep, and I say here is a rope, tie it around me, I will be your companion for life.

A & A wedding

The Journey by Nikki Giovanni

It’s a journey…that I propose…I am not the guide…nor technical assistant…I will be your fellow passenger…

Though the rail has been ridden…winter clouds cover…autumn’s exuberant quilt…we must provide our own guide-posts…

I have heard…from previous visitors…the road washes out sometimes…and passengers are compelled…to continue groping…or turn back…I am not afraid…I am not afraid…of rough spots…or lonely times…I don’t fear…the success of this endeavor…I am Ra…in a space…not to be discovered…but invented…I promise you nothing…I accept your promise…of the same we are simply riding…a wave…that may carry…or crash…

It’s a journey…and I want…to go…

the dance

He’s no perfect, by Bob Marley

He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, He’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.

Love this man

Did you have a “reading” at your wedding?

Happy Monday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Is Marriage Forever?

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Gigi in Weddings 2 Comments

A month ago we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, definitely a milestone for us. This past weekend my in-laws celebrated their 90th birthdays and 71 years of marriage.

Mom & Dad Sampson
90 years young…

When my mother-n-law was my age they had already be married 36 years! We’re at an age where we are now going to weddings of our friends children, while at the same time many long term marriages are dissolving.

Kyndall & James

lovely couple (our friend’s daughter)

My in-laws got married when they were 19, when I think about my early relationships I know I would have had a least 1 maybe 2 divorces under my belt by now. Being a late bloomer, I had no clue what I even wanted in a relationship or partner, but somehow I knew that some of the choices I had made were wrong on so many different levels. At 30 I was certainly not the 20 something year old going in a million different directions, being the “pleaser” in one sided relationships. I had gained the confidence to know I was a “prize” and did not have to settle, just because…

Doing the math I don’t think we will be around to celebrate 70 years, but I will embrace each day like it is our last.

Gigi & Reggie 25 years anniversary

I was in awe of my in-laws and their lasting love–something that is becoming so rare. Check out this short clip of my father-n-law’s tribute to his wife.

Marriage like any other relationships take work, you have to be an active participant and make things happen. You and your partner have to be willing to change and grow and continue to accept one another, be honest, and most of all be willing to forgive. Any one who has been married a long time has experienced “rough patches”, but the key is being able smooth them out. You have to understand who this person is you married…and not try and transform them to who you didn’t marry. You have to know what is worth fighting about and when to just “shut up”.

For example I LOVE to TRAVEL, if I were to wait on my husband to plan a trip we would not go anywhere, but since I know that I make sure I am proactive and plan things. I did not marry the person who is going to surprise me and whisk me away to an exotic location, and that is okay.

Patera Elephant Farm

I also know that some marriages end. Some are impossible, just BIG mistakes. I came from a broken family and now that I am an adult, I see clearly why my parents could have never stayed married–sad but true. I am grateful that my mom was able to relocate with 4 kids to California and start a new life.

My mother and father early 1960’s

Every marriage is different and each one has a different formula to keep it going. My humble advice is to always work on “self” being the best “you”, stay “market” ready, be interesting and continue to grow, be in tune with your partner, keep it “sexy”, know that it is okay if you give more sometimes and lastly always make time for each other.

Have a wonderful weekend, we will be heading to Temecula for a wedding (daughter of one of our dear friends).

XOXO,

Gigi

Let’s Get Married…

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Gigi in Weddings Comments Off

Kyndall & James

Summer would not be complete without at least one wedding invitation. I’m at an age where we are now receiving invites from our friends for their children’s nuptials. It’s funny how when I was “younger” I was a bridesmaid in quite a few weddings, and then there was a period of attending the 2 time/3 time around weddings which were fun parties given by the seasoned couples, and of course the destination weddings, which were always a nice excuse to have a quick get away weekend.

Saturday we attended the wedding of Kyndall Powell-Hicks, the daughter of Calvin & Cynthia Powell-Hicks. Reggie’s family and Cynthia’s family have roots in North Carolina and have know each other for years. The bride and groom met at Oakwood University, Reggie’s Alma mater, so for Reggie it was a mini reunion seeing lots of friends and catching up, matter of fact 30 plus years earlier he attended Cynthia and Calvin’s wedding at the same church, Westwood Methodist.

I have always loved weddings, everything from the gowns, cake, decor, music, and of course the flowers. For the most part everyone is in a good mood and on their best behavior, and you have an excuse to put on a pretty frock.

Reggie & Gigi

Reggie & Reggie

My Favorite guys

Although I did not have a traditional wedding, we eloped to the beautiful island of Kauai, I have thought about having a vow renewal ceremony at some point, just so I can get the wedding “envy” out of my system. We will celebrate 25 years in a few days and I had wanted to do something this year, but do to so much other stuff going on in our life, this was not the year. Perhaps we will do something for our 26th or 27th or perhaps I will be the “mother of the bride” one day and get my fix. Until then I will have to be satisfied when I get that oversized envelope, our names in calligraphy, specialty stamp, and beautiful response card for another fabulous wedding.

Kyndall & James

Happy Monday!

Xoxo, GIGI

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