268 Days and Counting

Amy and I were out tonight and did something that surprised us both. In a way, it is an appropriate add-on to our engagement story. The long and short of it is that we bought my wedding band tonight and I am happy with it. I'm really happy that we did because it had been more difficult finding a ring than I had expected. For the past few months, whenever we had the opportunity to look at rings I would go and try a few on, but never was quite satisfied with what I looked at. The ring we settled on is pretty simple and just looked right on my finger. I'm really happy with it or should I say, WE are really happy with it, and we also had a good deal. I was curious about the history and symbolism of the wedding band and found this link:

http://www.thehistoryof.net/history-of-the-wedding-ring.html

The wedding band is a symbol of a sacred and indissoluble promise we will be a making to one another. As Amy and I continue to prepare for this day, we grow more aware not only of the depth of our love but also the challenges that we will face. We have not had an easy summer, especially since I am still looking for work and facing my growing sense of inadequacy about my prospects. Trusting in God is getting to be more of a challenge and there are times when I seriously question some of the choices I have made in life. Regardless of my current challenges, Amy has shown me what it means to be faithful. It is difficult for men sometimes to communicate their fears and anxieties to their partners. I feel a need to protect Amy and not to cause her more stress in her life. Is this an illusion of mine to feel that I can "protect" her? When I don't communicate my fears to her, she transfers blame to herself, and wonders if she has done something wrong, so I'm not really protecting her am I?
Marriage is a beautiful sacrament and it is the only sacrament that a priest is not a minister of, but only a witness. The rings we will be exchanging are symbols of the promise to love one another faithfully until death. The space in the middle is not empty. It is a doorway, a portal to what lies ahead. I can't wait until Amy and I walk through that door together.