Ten Years of Marriage - Crown Them With Glory and Honor - Part #1

Yes it has been ten years since my wife Joanne and I were Crowned in Marriage!

The Queen of my heart!!!

The First Dance around your Holy Altar O' Lord

The Kiss as new Bride and Groom

All the items needed for the Service - The Crowns, The Candle, The Common Cup, The Ring Holder, The Rope to Bind Our Hands Together

 

The Ones at the Heart of our Love and Marriage - Picture from our home Chapel

1. The Cross - The very image and center of love. What the sacrifice of marriage looks like in action. The true death of self and the new life with another, all for the glory of God. Also, realizing the great fact that Jesus must be the foundation and at the middle of every marriage. 
2. The Trinity - Another image of Love. Father and Son in perfect union by the Love of the Holy Spirit. The same love that God pours into our hearts, in order that we can love him and one another. 
3. Jesus Christ - The very one who brought Joanne and I together in the first place. Because without him and his holy Church, we would have never met. Yes, God does have a plan and a purpose for all people. Example: Man + Woman + Cross Shaped Love = 5 New Lives in his world!!!
4. The Mother God - The ones whose prayers get us through everyday. The ups and the downs. Over the mountains and back to the green and fruitful grassland of God's presence. The one who tells us, as at the Wedding in Cana, when we do not know which way to turn, "Do, what ever He tells you." 
5. St. Elizabeth - Joanne's Patron Saint and protector.
6. St. Joseph - My Patron Saint and the one who shows me what a fathers love should look like: hard work, steadfastness, and holiness. 
7. The Holy Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian - Those whose Feast we celebrate on November 1 (Byzantine Calendar). I am also sure that they have been watching over and praying for us as well. 
8. The Wedding at Cana - The Icon of Jesus turning water into new Wine. This reminds us of the wine that Jesus himself gives us and shows us the great love that he has for each of us. This is evident through the abundance of the water he turned into wine. Over 300 gallons! Also, that to have a fruitful and life filled marriage, Jesus and Mary must always be on the guest list. 

The Whole Family

After Ten Years - Still, as I tell Her, "My Voice and My Song"