The Wedding Years

As we start to approach the end of 2016, I find myself reflecting on the events of the summer months.

I’ve attended two lovely weddings this year – one as bridesmaid and another for one of my very best friends I met at university. Both in equally beautiful locations, the former was over in the Isle of Man and the latter in southern Ireland. Next year, I have another wedding a little closer to home (bridesmaid duties to resume once more) for one of the loveliest girls I’ve ever met and potentially a second (invite pending, I hate to assume).

I remember reading an article that spoke of this time in a woman’s life: the ‘wedding years’. I feel as though I am only at the beginning of this era with many more years to come but the truth is, I feel too young to be at this time in my life. Somehow, it doesn’t seem real and turning 21 only seemed like yesterday.

Ironically perhaps, I already know that who I’m with now is who I want to be with forever. I’m sure of that, even as he lays beside me snoring as I type this, I feel content and happy. So don’t misunderstand me, I would love to get married. I have my thoughts and ideas for the big day and a Pinterest board already set up with beautiful bridal inspiration.  But, right now, I’m happy with the journey, the anticipation of what’s to come, where we’ll travel to together, our first real home and the adventures we’re yet to share.

Of course, this era – the wedding years – comes with the time in my life. I’m in my late twenties and so naturally everyone around me is thinking about settling down, getting married and having children. I can’t seem to log onto Facebook now without seeing pictures of a baby scan or ring finger adorned in a new diamond.

Please don’t think me unromantic or bitter either, I promise you I’m not either. Growing up, my mum has always said that I believed too much in the ‘love’ portrayed in films, thinking that it should always be spontaneous and wonderful. I’m not sure I’m so terribly naive as that anymore, you tend to grow up and realise it’s about so much more. It’s humbling, wonderfully ridiculous, unpredictable and comforting.

So, here’s to the start of my wedding years and having the privilege of watching so many of the lovely girls I’ve grown up with, tie the knot and start their new adventure. I guess it’s finally time to grow up.

“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.” Captain Corelli’s Mandolin