Love Abounds on the Emerald Coast

Love Abounds on the Emerald Coast

By Wendy O. Dixon, Editor 

All bridal couples have a unique story about their “big day.” Of all the big days we celebrate in life – the first kiss, getting a driver’s license, graduating college, starting a career – the wedding day tops them all.

Planning that big day can be so consuming that it takes as much time as a full-time job. Invitations, location, flowers. The vows, the theme, the photography, the cake. And for goodness’ sake, the most important decision – the dress! It’s exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.

Wendy Dixon, Editor
Emerald Coast Magazine

When my husband, Sean, and I got married 13 years ago, I dove in with planning and loved every minute of it during the nine months of our engagement. This was going to be our “big day,” and it was going to be perfect.

As it turned out, it really was a perfect day. But not because of the flowers, or the dress or the music. It was perfect because we were surrounded by everyone we loved, and the room was filled with friends and family who were there only to wish us well. I’ll never forget that perfect feeling of collective love in the church sanctuary.

But we didn’t get to eat.

We were so busy greeting guests and hugging everyone during the reception, we didn’t get to enjoy the food, save one bite of wedding cake. So after the reception, we stopped by the Wendy’s drive-through for a burger and fries as we drove to the airport for our honeymoon. That was our first dinner together as Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.

After the wedding is over and all that’s left of the honeymoon is peeling skin from a sunburn in Jamaica, reality sets in. You’re married. Now what?

We go to so much trouble planning the wedding. Most of us don’t think beyond it. That’s not as much fun. But that’s what’s real.

At one of my bridal showers, the wise women in my life were kind enough to write me notes of advice for our new marriage, all of which I kept in a special box and re-read from time to time. I pass along their advice – which has served Sean and me well – to the three happy couples featured in this issue – McKenzie and Gary Smith, Allison and Jeffery Jones, and Bridget and Matt Struthers, as well as all the newlyweds of the Emerald Coast:

» Don’t ever go to bed angry.
» Acquire things the old-fashioned way – save for them and pay cash.
» Be prepared to lose once in a while.
» Drink champagne for no reason at all.
» Keep family and friends out of your business.
» Love and be kind to each other, always.
» Cherish each day as if it is your last together.
» Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Best wishes and congratulations!