The Journey

My mother of the bride gift from the father of the bride was a diamond earring and necklace set. I got to pick it out so it wasn't a surprise, but in all these years, it is only the second piece of real jewelry I have owned. Of course there is my wedding rings, but necklaces, earrings, that kind of thing are all costume. They come from walmart and Claires-that $10.00 stuff. Once in a while I have gotten a pearl necklace or something a little pricier than the $10 norm.

My hubbie took me shopping a few weeks before the wedding. I hadn't settled on a dress yet either so off he and I went to find the right dress. We went to store after store. I tend to be picky about the way things fit me, that and needing a certain color family made it a challenge. (Did I mention I am cheap and did not want to pay a fortune!) We drifted through the mall browsing through JCPenney's, Sears, and Dillards. We finally settled on Dillards and the dress I actually wore to the wedding. While we were there, he got his wedding ring inspected and cleaned at Kay's. I had stopped in the day before to get mine done while we were waiting to pick up Katherine's dress at David's Bridal. Kat and I looked through the jewelry, but I wasn't about to spend that kind of money on myself without my husband present.

I had went home and told Steve about it, so the next day he wanted to look. With him there the decision was a little harder. I love pearls and opals, but they were set in yellow gold, and I didn't really want that. I love the journey collection, because life is indeed a journey. Not only does the diamond pattern attract me, but knowing that it represents our past, present, and future...as a couple...is special to me. That is what I settled on, a set of journey hearts. My earrings and necklace are both hearts with the journey diamonds cascading down the side. It is gorgeous. I wore them for the first time the day of the wedding and have the earrings in right now.

My husband said it was about time I had real jewelry, and I might need a jewelry box. What is even weirder is I have insured pieces now! LOL Who would have ever thought!

This relationship of his and I has indeed been a journey. When we started on it 26 years ago, I had no idea where it would lead. I could not have imagined that we would be sitting here at this point of our life with our children grown and married-wow-don't think I even realized back then we would have children or how many we might have or what it would take to raise them or the paths we would go down with them. I didn't understand anything back then. Somehow at 20 years old, you think you have it figured out. You look at what other parents are or aren't doing, what other couples are or aren't doing, and you come to some conclusion, not necessarily the right conclusion, but one nonetheless. All of that is so incredibly funny to me now...part of the journey. The past is the past, the present is what it is, and the future-can't wait to see what it holds.

In our plans (the best laid of mice and men) for the fall....we are going to Branson, and San Antonio...mini vacations for just him and I, and way overdue! I am hoping our future together holds lots of adventures, lots of just him and I time, lots of sweet moments for us to grow and love and giving. I also hope it includes watching our children find their own way, discover for themselves what life holds, have families of their own, come to some conclusions about life, and experience all the wonder we have shared. Who knows...it is the future. I am going to enjoy this present right now and wonder at the journey!