The Sacrament of Marriage

THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

Like most women, I grew up dreaming with the wedding of my dreams, that day that I would

join my life with the perfect man, there I was in front of the altar with all my family and friends wearing a beautiful white dress and a bouquet of fresh flowers that smelled like cotton candy, it felt as real as if was part of a fairy tale, but it was just that, just a dream that faded month by month while my belly was growing, yes, at eighteen years of age I was pregnant without being married by church, my parents were disappointed and embarrassed , and that dream I had as a little girl that at one time felt so real now looked unattainable to me because now I had to grow up and learn to be a mother. To my family the Sacrament of Marriage has always been very important and by me being the youngest of five children, two women and two men whom already received the blessing of marriage and had a family of their own, I felt so ashamed of myself, and I felt this way for so many years. That is why the day in which we decided to join our lives before God's eyes, although, were married by the court and with three children; taking the decision to marry by church meant so much not only for me but also for my parents.

It was a rainy day like any other while Fabian and I were enjoying a movie with our children, he took my hands and said: "Let's do it" and as I sat there in the large black couch not knowing what he was talking about I had to ask "what are you talking about babe" he promptly answered: "let's get married by the church to receive the blessing of God, I know how valuable it is for you and your family and also know that we are both ready to take this step, so I stood there almost speechless and with a knot in my throat all I did is knotted my head to say yes! It was from that day on that we started the wedding planning and chose the date November 20, 2010, almost a whole year to prepare for the big day.

When it comes to weddings for me the most significant part is the mass because it is when you join your life with the person you love before God's eyes and receive his blessing. So for us we decided to have a more intimate wedding with a small reception only our closer relatives and friends and to focus our attention to our ceremony; the church would have to be perfect, big and with an old structure, decorated with big white flowers everywhere, and with the choir singing loud and clear; our children would form part of the court of honor and would have six bridesmaids and six groomsman including the maid of honor and best man. The reception would take place at the hotel where I worked, something simple and easy with silver and black colors just as I always dreamed it.

Finally, with all the preparations already ready and after waiting for so many years the most awaiting day arrived; it was seven in the morning when my mom knocked on my door "Amalia get up because today is your day mija" and with crust still on my eyes I got up with joy to begin what would be one of the most special and significant days of my life. We had a light breakfast my parents, children and I before heading to the hotel where later the reception would take place and where the makeup artists group were waiting to do the hair and makeup on my mom, bridesmaids, and me; we decided we wanted to start with me just to make sure that I was going to be ready in time for the ceremony, and finally after an hour I was finished and as I looked in the mirror I still could not believe it, I looked like a porcelain doll with my long ivory