Well, this morning I finished reading through a blur of happy tears, so honored I was to witness that beautiful sharing, the declaration, the love that truly overwhelmed us all! You ask “what is marriage”? Ah, what is love?! You both already know, and you’ll know even more in time …. much more.
Erin, this was wonderful to read! I began crying with you as the little girl and then had to stop to get something out of my eye - really - then more reading and crying. You two did great, and in writing this you did great!
What is marriage? What *can* marriage be? [Oops, something in my eye, again.] What marriage can be is total respect, love, sharing and listening, by both of you for each other, in which you pay attention and tell the truth, and are tolerant of the parts of one another that you do not like.
Erin, the photo of you and Glenn lying on your picnic blanket is beyond adorable. (Yay, Michael, for the photos!) You both look radiant and Greg looks so handsome and kind. Ahem, on the subject of marriage… pls share this with Greg. The partner bit, which you mention, is the most important; I can say that after 52 years of marriage. [EDITED!] Sam and I are partners in life and still very much in love... improbable, after half a century, right?! But it's true. Still, there are ups and downs in every marriage and sometimes we fight terribly. Basically, you (at least this is true for me) wake up every morning and try to make it work. We’re very different, so that can be a challenge. Sending hugs and CONGRATS and need more photos of the ring!!! ❤️🙏💍🔥
I love these sentiments, debbie, thank you so much. glen is indeed the handsomest and kindest guy around <3 i'm lucky to have him as my partner in this life
Oh my gosh! This was just beautiful, Erin! Congratulations! That ring is worthy of admiration! As with every iteration of life, I find marriage to be messy and neat. It's kind of like your bedroom over time. Sometimes, there's clothes everywhere, used tissues on your nightstand, and an ungodly amount of glasses of water strewn throughout on dusty surfaces. Other times, it's a breath of fresh air: a neatly-made bed, a fresh bouquet of flowers on display, and shiny, almond-scented hardwood floors. Sometimes, it's a room in a tiny apartment in Austin or NYC. Other times, it's a room in a small bungalow in the mountains of North Carolina. Sometimes, it's a place of respite after long nights out on the town. Other times, it's a place of relief after a long day of parenting. Sometimes, it's a place you loathe because he leaves his dishes everywhere and doesn't see all the things you're doing for your family! Other times, it's a place you cherish because goddamit he has seen you at your absolute worst and still chooses to do life with you. Anyway, marriage is a room that feels like home because it is home, a standing room in your heart for as long as you both choose, and you must choose it every day in order for it to work. ❤️❤️❤️
This was so beautiful and emotional. My heart was pounding once Michael came up with the chair. In leaving this piece in its "messy" form, you nailed the emotions. Seriously. Also, congratulations!
If this was an example of a messy, evolving attempt at presenting a moment in time of pure love and blithering joy, I don’t know what a honed, fine-tuned version could possibly look like. This put me there.
And while there’s always a lot happening “besides this small story of love,” sometimes the small stories can be big — can be ✨everything.✨
"It’s not the two of us against the world. It’s the two of us in and of the world—determined to love in a way that ripples out, so that the world around us can also heal and grow and thrive."
"messy, evolving attempt with some guts in it" is why I'm here reading this on the toilet with numb legs. My god! You pack so much life into your writing Erin! Thank you, not for the numb legs, but they're worth it.
Okay I was so pumped to see this in my inbox this morning as I sip my morning coffee in the café and clicked before I realised where I am and who I'm reading and that I would be sobbing like a baby (I'm a wedding crier too, for other reasons). So here I am in public with snot dripping from my nose and tears down my cheeks 🤣😭
It's perfect. I fucking love it and I'm so happy for you both 😭🥹❤️
Erin, I sobbed. You know what a sap I am, and this was EVERYTHING. Thank you so much for sharing the story of your day. I am so privileged to have seen all these different versions of your heart—from watching you refuse to make heart hands during a Zumba song because it was too sappy (lol) to seeing this soft, romantic side of you. I love you endlessly.
STEPH IM CRYING! I thought of you when I wrote that part and how I couldn’t even make the heart hands in Zumba. I love you and love that you’ve always cheered me on and been the person in my life teaching me how to love love <3
Well, this morning I finished reading through a blur of happy tears, so honored I was to witness that beautiful sharing, the declaration, the love that truly overwhelmed us all! You ask “what is marriage”? Ah, what is love?! You both already know, and you’ll know even more in time …. much more.
Love you both! :)
Michael
I love you Michael!!! Thank you for being there as witness and for crying w me 💕
Erin, this was wonderful to read! I began crying with you as the little girl and then had to stop to get something out of my eye - really - then more reading and crying. You two did great, and in writing this you did great!
What is marriage? What *can* marriage be? [Oops, something in my eye, again.] What marriage can be is total respect, love, sharing and listening, by both of you for each other, in which you pay attention and tell the truth, and are tolerant of the parts of one another that you do not like.
Alright, this got me misty and you KNOW that’s saying something.
I love your love!
Erin, the photo of you and Glenn lying on your picnic blanket is beyond adorable. (Yay, Michael, for the photos!) You both look radiant and Greg looks so handsome and kind. Ahem, on the subject of marriage… pls share this with Greg. The partner bit, which you mention, is the most important; I can say that after 52 years of marriage. [EDITED!] Sam and I are partners in life and still very much in love... improbable, after half a century, right?! But it's true. Still, there are ups and downs in every marriage and sometimes we fight terribly. Basically, you (at least this is true for me) wake up every morning and try to make it work. We’re very different, so that can be a challenge. Sending hugs and CONGRATS and need more photos of the ring!!! ❤️🙏💍🔥
I love these sentiments, debbie, thank you so much. glen is indeed the handsomest and kindest guy around <3 i'm lucky to have him as my partner in this life
Yes! More photos of the ring(s).
Oh my gosh! This was just beautiful, Erin! Congratulations! That ring is worthy of admiration! As with every iteration of life, I find marriage to be messy and neat. It's kind of like your bedroom over time. Sometimes, there's clothes everywhere, used tissues on your nightstand, and an ungodly amount of glasses of water strewn throughout on dusty surfaces. Other times, it's a breath of fresh air: a neatly-made bed, a fresh bouquet of flowers on display, and shiny, almond-scented hardwood floors. Sometimes, it's a room in a tiny apartment in Austin or NYC. Other times, it's a room in a small bungalow in the mountains of North Carolina. Sometimes, it's a place of respite after long nights out on the town. Other times, it's a place of relief after a long day of parenting. Sometimes, it's a place you loathe because he leaves his dishes everywhere and doesn't see all the things you're doing for your family! Other times, it's a place you cherish because goddamit he has seen you at your absolute worst and still chooses to do life with you. Anyway, marriage is a room that feels like home because it is home, a standing room in your heart for as long as you both choose, and you must choose it every day in order for it to work. ❤️❤️❤️
oh my gosh, my HEART! katrina, thank you. truly. I love this metaphor. thank you for taking the time to share it with me <3
❤️
The “Ready when you are, folks!” part got me haha
lol same
Congratulations for your engagement, Erin! 🌸♥️💍
thank you Claudia!! perfect emoji usage 10/10
This was so beautiful and emotional. My heart was pounding once Michael came up with the chair. In leaving this piece in its "messy" form, you nailed the emotions. Seriously. Also, congratulations!
whoa thank you so, so much for taking the time to be here and write this comment, julianna! it made my morning <3
Erin this was so beautiful to read! Thank you for sharing and the biggest congratulations!
Erin eeeeeeeeeee I loved this one! So happy for you and BSF Glen!
I say we need even MORE love in the world, more stories of intentional care. Congratulations to you both 🥰
BSF!!! thank you maddie and I agree. more love more care more stories <3
If this was an example of a messy, evolving attempt at presenting a moment in time of pure love and blithering joy, I don’t know what a honed, fine-tuned version could possibly look like. This put me there.
And while there’s always a lot happening “besides this small story of love,” sometimes the small stories can be big — can be ✨everything.✨
I’m thrilled you found each other in this world!
Wow I know it sounds a little trite but I needed this perspective, thank you so so much 🙏🏻💕
"It’s not the two of us against the world. It’s the two of us in and of the world—determined to love in a way that ripples out, so that the world around us can also heal and grow and thrive."
really beautiful
thank you I was into that part 🥹
"messy, evolving attempt with some guts in it" is why I'm here reading this on the toilet with numb legs. My god! You pack so much life into your writing Erin! Thank you, not for the numb legs, but they're worth it.
Okay I was so pumped to see this in my inbox this morning as I sip my morning coffee in the café and clicked before I realised where I am and who I'm reading and that I would be sobbing like a baby (I'm a wedding crier too, for other reasons). So here I am in public with snot dripping from my nose and tears down my cheeks 🤣😭
It's perfect. I fucking love it and I'm so happy for you both 😭🥹❤️
hahah oh noooo not the crying and snotting in public. BEEN THERE. thank you for taking the risk and reading anyway, you’re the absolute best 💕
🤣🤣🤣 I knew you'd get it. Crying and snotting in public club ✊❤️
Erin, I sobbed. You know what a sap I am, and this was EVERYTHING. Thank you so much for sharing the story of your day. I am so privileged to have seen all these different versions of your heart—from watching you refuse to make heart hands during a Zumba song because it was too sappy (lol) to seeing this soft, romantic side of you. I love you endlessly.
Also, hi to Michael!
STEPH IM CRYING! I thought of you when I wrote that part and how I couldn’t even make the heart hands in Zumba. I love you and love that you’ve always cheered me on and been the person in my life teaching me how to love love <3