Betty

This is It!

White roses with a woman and man's hands wearing wedding rings.

You may be surprised.

Now, I did leave some hints. But no one picked up on my subtleties. At least, no one said anything in the comments.

For one, I mentioned we paid $57 for a couple of fried eggs with a spectacular view. And I even said, it was a special day for us. Secondly, in my post about Corinth, I referred to Dan and I as lovebirds.

What’s up with that?

I thought about not writing this post. I could go on and just not ever mention it. I guess I hesitated to post about this because well, it’s personal. And maybe a little embarrassing. But I am nothing if not honest, so here we go.

While Dan and I have been together for thirteen plus years, we weren’t married. We met in April 2008, and we got engaged later that year in December. Somehow, the years went by.

However, on April 27th, a beautiful Tuesday morning, at 10 a.m. (actually a bit before as we are always early), we were married on the beach in Perdido Key, Florida.

Betty and Dan on the beach, looking at each other.

We were just inside the Florida border, where an Alabama marriage license can be legally used. Our ceremony was officiated by Steve Horn of bamaweddings.org. Steve worked with us to find just the right spot on the beach and to make our ceremony exactly what we wanted and special for us.

Steve and Dan walked about halfway to the shore, not too close to the shore, as per Steve, because of the sound of the waves. Steve then played our song, “This is It” by Scotty McCreery. Like the bride I was, I walked down to my beloved, and even after or maybe even because of all our years together, I was filled with love for this man. It was a magical moment.

Steve talked about how like the beach is made up of so many tiny grains of sand, marriage is also made up of all the little things. He talked about how the hands we are holding now will be the hands we reach for, for the rest of our lives. Even on our last day. He talked about how we honor each other with our love. Steve said others will be watching us, and our love can be something they will see and want for themselves, too.

Steve talked about how the water always comes to the shore. Even during a hurricane. But honestly, even though I was so in the moment, I was a bit in the clouds. I don’t remember what water always coming to the shore translates to in a marriage. I do remember Steve said every night, before he goes to sleep, he tells his wife he loves her. I like that. I bet we all do.

Of course, Steve also read the classic passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

We chose the traditional vows. Answering the questions with, “I Do” and then repeating after Steve, our vows while we exchanged our rings.

Betty and Dan.

Steve ended the ceremony with instructions for us as per Colossians 3:12-15a:

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

After our ceremony, we walked on the beach, just a bit, to savor the moment. Then we went out to breakfast at Gulf State Park’s “Foodcraft” where we ate outside on the terrace. Thus the expensive eggs.

After our meal, we texted our kids with our big news. While we’ve all been a family for some time now, it is now official. Once our kids knew, I put our wedding pictures on Facebook. And then the fun really began. It was a wonderful, wonderful day. We are so very happy, and everyone was very happy for us. And quite surprised.

Are you?

Betty and Dan kissing as husband and wife.
April 27, 2021

62 comments

    • Thank you. And with a nod to our family’s history, I chose April 27th as it was my maternal grandparents’ wedding anniversary. They were wonderful examples to me in so many ways. I appreciate your kind words and your heartfelt wishes. Enjoy your Saturday!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • What?! You didn’t ready my posts closely? I guess you have a life. 🙂 Thank you, David. Just so you know, Chambers on the Road accepts all groupies – edge or not! Enjoy your weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. What a wonderful post! I’m always horribly behind in my reading and end up working backwards with all the bloggers I follow, so I’ve not seen any of your hints. But congratulations to you two! The bride and groom are a gorgeous couple. – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you for your kind comments and congratulations, Marty. I always appreciate anyone who reads my posts in whatever way works for them. Plus, you get the benefit of 20/20 hindsight! Enjoy your weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  24. Congratulations! What an absolutely beautiful love story. Thank you so much for opening your heart and sharing. May you enjoy even more wonderful years together and may your love continue to grow deeper and stronger as you walk through life side by side.

    Liked by 1 person

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  25. Well how about that!?!
    I caught your hints, sort of….I thought it was an anniversary of some sort. I thought there was no way Betty would go for spending that much on breakfast without a cause.
    Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Chambers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • LoL. Well, if you can have expensive eggs on your wedding day, when can you? 🙂 Thank you for your congratulations. Sure do miss you! Hope all is well, and you and your family are doing great!

      Like

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  27. What a beautiful story that should be told! I hope you journal your day so it can be read later and as a reminder God is good. Congratulations and best wishes. Do you have a p.o. box so I can send a small gift?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • You are very kind. We do not have a P.O. Box, but a wonderful gift would be if you would pray for us. Pray for us and our families. Pray for God to bless our marriage and us, so that we may bless others! That would be the best gift you could give us.
      After our wedding, we went out to breakfast. Later, we went back to Perdido Key. We played Scrabble under a pavilion and took a long walk on a closed road along the National Seashore. Later, we went out to dinner. And ice cream,too. 🙂 Throughout the day and evening, we received phone calls, texts and Facebook messages offering good wishes and congratulations. It was a very fun and special day. God is good, and we do so appreciate His blessings. And I appreciate your kind words and good wishes, too. Enjoy your day!

      Liked by 1 person

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  30. Wow one of the best wedding in the world. You inspired lots of people I bet with this post. What happiness to just stopped by somewhere out of nowhere and get married then announce it to families and the world. I am smiling at your plan of happiness. Good Luck to both of you with many more of happy days to come. I love your blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! You are very kind to leave such a nice comment. I don’t know if our wedding was one of the best in the world, but it was absolutely perfect for us! I do appreciate your good wishes, and I hope you have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

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