Love is Still in the Air!

To all the Brides and Grooms that are experiencing struggles due to COVID-19:

Oh, my heart has ached for all of you that have been planning your special day for so long and now it has been canceled or postponed! It does not even seem real. I have spoken to several brides with heightened levels of anxiety over all of this. I have even heard one say, “Does this mean it’s not meant to be?” I trust that you in your hearts know the answer to that question.

The only thing I can do in a time like we are currently living is search the Word for answers.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Some of you have chosen to go ahead and get married privately or elope because you cannot imagine another day, week or let alone month(s) keeping you apart any longer. I am so happy for you and cannot wait to celebrate with you later. Others, are hanging in there and embracing this with such unbelievable grace. We all handle challenges differently. But in this moment of uncertainty, can I challenge you to think back to the very moment your true love asked you to marry him. Without a doubt, I am sure the excitement of planning your wedding day came over you, but more than that I hope an overwhelming feeling of love and happiness? Smiles cheek to cheek? Your true love will be yours for life!

For the Brides:

He chose YOU! He desires to spend the rest of his life with YOU.

For the Grooms:

She said YES! She chose YOU back!

During these trying times, go back to that moment we just mentioned. Go even further back. I love to wander my mind to the days that my husband of 22 years, swept me off my feet one date at a time. He made me laugh more than anyone. I was never without a smile on my face when he was on my mind. People around me knew I was in love before I was ready to admit it. He looked at me differently than any man or any other human being had ever looked at me. He looked at me as though I was the most beautiful person to him, he looked at me as if I was the only female he’d ever seen. Guess what? He still looks at me that way. Come to find out, he prayed he would only have eyes for me for the rest of his days. 

Be over the moon in love!

I challenge you to be over the moon in love instead of frustrated with Corona Virus isolation. Find ways to show each other how much you mean to each other. Enjoy being in love. Enjoy being a fiance. With all of the planning, sometimes we forget to take time for each other and when you do, the conversation always leads to the wedding. Unfortunately, I have seen in my line of work, planning a wedding also leads to much bickering and stress. Combat that stress with these three things during these strange days:

1. Wedding Wednesday

One of my clients came up with a great idea. She and her fiance decided to choose one day a week they can discuss wedding plans. They call it “Wedding Wednesday.” They found early on that their conversations were all consumed with wedding “stuff” and they were stressing out. They took control right away, recognizing they needed to prioritize their time together. Consider this an opportunity to pause. Pause and think about what we can do better.  How we can use this extra time to really prepare your future together. After all, that is what your “day” is really about right?

2. Read a Book Together

 Reading a book together (even if you read them separately and come together to discuss what you are reading) can bring you two even closer. If you choose the right books, they can have a great impact on your relationship in the future. The following books are some of our favorites we read while engaged or read early in our marriage and I have re-read them or refer back to them over the years.

3. Pray Together

Pray together. There is an old saying: The family that prays together stays together. I have seen this to be true in my life. For some, it is hard to get past the fear of praying out loud in front of someone because they feel embarrassed. The sooner you break down that wall and try it, the more comfortable you will be. I remember when I first prayed out loud with Kirk. My hands were sweating holding his. I was embarrassed too. It was something I only did in private with God. However, it meant the world to me that he even wanted to pray together. I will say, it is powerful and it is a different kind of intimacy. One that can carry you through the hardest of times. Give it a shot!

“For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am here in the midst of them.”   Why would you not want God in the midst of your marriage? Matthew 18:20

Whether you decide to get married today or hold off until later, love like there is no tomorrow. Although COVID-19 is in the air keeping us all apart… love is still in the air drawing us together.

The first 3 brides to message me, will receive a free copy of one of our favorite books :)

Correna Monroe