Young vs Old

Handsome Hubby and I are celebrating 3 years of marriage today. Over the weekend, we attended a gorgeous wedding and one of the readings really tugged at my heart strings (MUCH easier to do post-baby it turns out).

Can there be anything more beautiful than young love? Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path to marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?

Yes, there is a more beautiful thing.

It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands may be gnarled, but still clasped; their faces wrinkled but still radiant; their hearts may be tired and slow as well as their brain, but still strong and wise with love and devotion to each other. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.

I think anything can spark that realisation. Initially I thought it was getting engaged (pfffffft! We were SO YOUNG then!). At the time I felt there was nothing that could more solidly indicate that grown up love than an engagement, and the realisation that a team has been formed: by choice, with love and with a mutual goal of commitment to a shared future. But it all became that bit more real when we had a kidlet together.  This little creature - a combination of bits of the both of us and our families - formed a whole lot more of the glue that binds us. While we definitely have our moments, looking into that shiny little face reminds me of the team we've built and how that team came together in the first place. We are in love. Happily so. We stare into our future with joy. And what a glorious feeling that is.