In life, from the large moments to the small: what does it
mean to share? Of course, the context here today would be what does it mean,
specifically, as a foundation for a successful marriage. I believe that this
couple has more than an insight or two we can learn from, regarding this
pivotal question.
Paul talks about going on mission trips in the Yucatan at a young age,
and sharing with people who had much less. This sense of giving and sharing is
vital to the marital relationship. This is not only because giving is so
important in marriage, but because when we learn to give selflessly we receive
much more.
However, sharing of yourself means more than that. It means
sharing ideas and your most deeply held beliefs and thoughts. Paul talks about
the ongoing open dialogue with his parents on faith and reason. It is this love
and openness that he desires to share with Ariel as they learn and experience
life together.
Ariel too has had an ongoing dialogue with her world view,
from growing up in Schenectady , New York , through spending extended amounts of time in China and Israel , to living in Dallas, four
places, which to say the least, offer very different viewpoints. Through these
different experiences, Ariel has been flexible and adaptive, picking up pieces
from each culture and sharing a bit of her own as well.
Ariel and Paul’s larger views are often captured through
smaller moments. Ariel talks about Paul and the first stages of their
relationship: making her laugh with his witty jokes and Simpsons references. He
introduced her to Dallas
– even kept a straight face while she ordered dumplings in Mandarin, utterly
confusing the waiter, who kept staring at Paul. He taught Ariel how to eat craw
fish and took her to see Elvis Costello perform with the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra.
Something that starts small - devoting
a Sunday night to a home-cooked meal, building a record collection
together, or discussing an interesting article from the radio - creates
new shared traditions in the larger context of their life. Through their loving
sharing Ariel and Paul create the ideal situation for every couple standing
before their family and friends on their wedding day.
Ariel and Paul, I always frame my remarks around learning
something from every couple. I feel, personally, like this is truer than ever
here today. With the story of your relationship, you remind me how deep love
for sharing can really be. For that I am profoundly thankful.
No comments:
Post a Comment