It’s no secret that this weekend is going to be emotional all over the USA. As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks comes upon us, I find myself reminiscing about watching in utter disbelief from my 10th grade English class. I watch as special after special airs on television about the untold stories of survivors, victims, heroes of that tragic day. I am saddened that 10 years later, the world is no closer to peace than it was when the attacks occurred.
This weekend will bring joy to me as well, though, as David and I renew our wedding vows on 9/10. After 5 years of the best and worst that life has to give, a fresh start and rededication is exactly what we need. I am excited to say that we have made it through hideous situations, life changing events, and braved the unknown when so many couples would have thrown in the towel. I am honored to think that despite everything (good and bad) that these years have brought, Dave still wants to marry me – and essentially will do it again on Saturday.
Shortly before my mom passed away, she apologized to me because she had promised to be there for our renewal. I credit a great deal of my how-to-deal-with-marriage-effectively knowledge to her, and I really wanted her to see us celebrate this milestone. She wasn’t present at our first wedding, as we had a very small, unannounced wedding, and this was our chance to have her there. But she won’t be there.
In the same conversation in which she apologized, she also told me how glad she was that I found David. She said, through labored breaths, that he was a living guardian angel sent to me for when she couldn’t be here with me. She often bragged to the nursing staff that she had “the best son-in-law in the world,” and I couldn’t agree more. She told me to always let him know how much I appreciate him (and all my loved ones) because you just never know when it will be too late.
So as this emotional weekend begins for me, for so many families, for the nation, I ask you all to look closely at those who matter to you. Then, let them know they matter. Tell at least one person EVERY DAY how much they mean to you. Every day for the rest of your life.
You never know when a plane will fall from the sky, or when an internal enemy will take someone from you.
Love. Intentionally.
Every day.
I’ve been unbelievably emotional about September 11th since early last week, and have been fighting back tears on a daily basis. I’ve tried to hug and kiss my family more, and make sure to tell them I love them (in addition to doing some hearty crying). Love may not heal all wounds, but it comes close.