Tofu tastes best when you catch it in the wild.: Gems of Love

Last week I was blessed to attend bridal showers and receptions for three separate weddings, all for people I greatly admire. Amidst it all, I was reminded of a line from "Eat. Pray. Love." which I will misquote here: "The funny thing about weddings is that you always end up thinking about your own." It was only too true.

Part of it may be that once upon a time two of these wonderful young women were students of mine and seeing them married was a big reality check to how much time has passed. Most of it is probably that I am approaching my own tenth wedding anniversary this summer. Time has this funny way of seeming simultaneously too short and too long. As in, "I can't have been married for ten years - I'd have to be older for that!" and at the same time, "Has it only been ten years? We've been through so much and know each other so well it may as well have been thirty."

So as I reminisced about my own wedding, I pulled down my photo album and spent some nostalgic time enjoying the pictures. We had a team of two photographers - a married couple - and while one took all the posed shots, the other moved around and outside us snapping candid shots. I love all our pictures, but I've come to appreciate the candid shots so much over the years because they captured genuine, unexpected emotions.

As I looked at the pictures, I thought about what I knew about love ten years ago and what I know about it now. At bridal showers and receptions they often ask for marriage advice. So I've decided to dispense some of my meager advice about love. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so consider this advice very, very lengthy.

And - Happy encroaching 10th Anniversary to my wonderful husband and myself.

This was us - ten years ago.
They say love is blind. That may be why each of us see these and say, "Oh, I've gotten old!" and Anthony sweetly says, "No - you look

pretty much the same."

Love must be blind.

Love is when you walk in tandem - without realizing it.

It's in the look I fell in love with - and still do.

It's in the look he fell in love with - and still does.

Love is in the details. Life is in the details.

Love works when you laugh at his jokes.

Love is an adventure.

Love is in the look I have for him

when no one is watching.

Love is in the look he has for me

when no one is watching.

Love is when the pieces just seem to fit.

Love is when I don't have to worry
about climbing a grassy hill in ridiculous heels
because I know he's got me.

Love is when you look at your groom
and your only thought is,
"When can we get outta here?"

Then you do the whole reception all over
a week later, don't try so hard,
realize you've forgotten half your wardrobe,
and end up looking 14 years old.
(Okay, that's not love. That's just funny.)