An old Spanish Mission. A stone church nestled in the center of it.  Old wood doors that looked like they have seen more than one happy moment over the years. That was the feeling when we entered Tlaquepaque Chapel in Sedona, Arizona, where Kelly and Paul were getting married surrounded by family and friends.

Weddings are the day when you enter a new family.  And they are always a time when you gain more loved ones and become part of a new unit.   As Kelly’s Father walked her down the aisle of the chapel, Paul gazed lovingly at his bride.  As Paul’s daughter asked Kelly if she could sit next to her at dinner, I melted.  And I was so touched to see this family become one.  Because when a couple gets married, they don’t just marry each other.

Love is a verb. And when we are committed to loving each other and life around us, the right partner finds their way into our love.  And when both parties are committing to love each and every day and caring for each other, and each other’s children and family, marriages flourish.  Because we all have those days when our spouse does something *wonderful* (sarcasm noted) that has us repeating, yes thank you for the reminder love is a verb.  But that’s our person, our one person in the entire world who will walk through this life with us.: the good, the bad, the ugly, and sometimes, even the uglier.  God has given us the greatest gift of all- entrusting another person’s heart to us.  And when we realize that love is bigger than just two becoming one, but it is honoring God directly through loving and honoring our spouse, it becomes easier. And infinitely more important. And when we choose to say “I love you,” “thank you,” and “I appreciate you,” instead of what we may be really thinking when we come home to find dirty dishes consuming every kitchen counter, we choose to put that person first and actively love.