A few words of advice...

I took a couple hours tonight to read through every card that we received for our wedding. We didn't take the time right after the wedding/honeymoon to really look at our cards, and many of our friends left messages and words of advice for us that I wanted to read. Here are a few of my favorite card verses and pieces of advice... I bolded the parts I liked best!


"If you treat each other kindly with compassion and with trust and always let your tender feelings show,
If you laugh together often and enjoy the time you share but give each other space to learn and grow,
If you understand your differences, respecting who you are, and put each other first in all you do...
Your marriage will be beautiful, a reason to feel proud, and a special source of love your whole lives through."


"Together may you live fully, laugh often, and love life's simplest joys.
Together may you find in one another your best and dearest friend."


"It's your story. Make it beautiful.
Fill it up with what you love.
Remember what matters. Forget what doesn't.
Have a happy life together."


"Marriage is a gift you give each other--a gift of yourself that connects you in spirit and completes you in body, mind, and soul.
It's something for you to honor and care for, just as you do each other...
Best wishes for a life of happiness and love as you share your gift together."


"Where love is... Hope is heard. Forgiveness is found. Laughter is shared.
Where love is... Work is worthwhile. Sadness is softened. Faith is deepened.
Where love is... Trust is cherished. Peace is present. Hearts are at home.
Where love is, God will be.
God's love is entwined with yours, strengthening your faith and preparing your hearts for a beautiful lifetime together."


This one is really long, but I liked it a lot. It was typed up and inserted into a card we received. It's by Richard L. Evans.
"To You Who Begin Life Together"
"Songs of spring and love and of undying devotion are good to the ears of all of us. There would be much missing without music and moonlight and romance. But lovely as all these are, there must be much more for the making of a lasting marriage, for making a good and solid life, and for keeping alive the love and sweetness of life.
In June we may walk together holding hands, with adoring eyes and high hearts. But many precious things are perishable, if they are not understood, not carefully cultivated. Life isn't all serenity. It changes pace. It changes color. It is sometimes light and lovely, sometimes difficult and discouraging. There are fair and pleasant days; there are days of illness, of disappointment, sometimes of sorrow. But the sacred covenant of marriage does not contemplate that any of these will make any difference in loyalty and love. Marriage is not only for the brighter moments, not only for prosperous and pleasant days, but for all the days there are, endlessly and forever--and it cannot well be built on less than common ideals, common purposes, willingness to rear a family, usefulness, and sincere service. And no one should marry with the remotest possibility in mind that the marital ties might sometime be severed.
And you who begin life together: Don't let any unkind comment, any act of inconsideration start its widening wedge between you two. There will be moods you will not understand; there will be differences; you will try each other's patience at times. No two people however much in love think or act in all things altogether alike. Don't let differences grow, don't magnify them, don't brood about them; bring them into the open, fact facts fairly.
Avoid hasty words and quick conclusions; reserve judgment; build and encourage each other and never belittle. Avoid extravagance; live within your means; trust and be true to your trust. Forgive; forget; don't let the errors of the past keep coming back to drive a wider wedge. Be prayerful and patient; live with faith and forbearance; be a blessing to each other always and forever, and don't lose the loveliness of looking down the years of life together. Hold to what you have in June and let it be so, sacredly and blessedly, in December."


We also had a few people remind us to serve each other. My favorite piece of advice was from my friend Katie and her husband, Eric: "Just remember to pray together and fight naked." ;) It made me laugh!


My all-time favorite card was from my Granddad.
"How to Make a Beautiful Life Together: Reflections on Marriage for the Bride & Groom"
"Let love be your shelter. The world is noisy and confusing at times, so make a home that is a haven, a peaceful place where you can listen to your hearts and savor the comfortable closeness you share.
No matter how busy your days may be, make time for yourselves. Hold hands. Unwind. Surprise each other. Find little chances every day to show you're grateful to be partners, to be friends, to be married.
Life is not perfect. You will make mistakes, but each time you meet life's challenges together, you will grow wiser, stronger, and surer of your love.
Cherish your yesterdays. They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life. Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs whenever you look back. (Look back often!)
Look forward, too. Dream together. Plan together. Make promises to keep. Believe in your tomorrows, because tomorrows are what forever is made of.
To make love last, put each other first. That is the way to make a beautiful life together, the kind of life you both deserve so much."