Drive Simple, the Recipe for Marital Success

This couple married at Jones Point Park Saturday with the Potomac River at their backs June 28 about 10:35 a.m. The weather was perfect! They were surrounded by his parents and brother and her sister and their friends. Her parents were "Skyped-in" so they too could be a part of this wonderful occasion. I enjoyed my conversation with the groom's mother. Her marriage was semi-arranged and they married within weeks of the initial introduction. She shared that when you aren't in love, you can ask the difficult questions. As it turned out, their goals and values were similar, and now 35 years later, they not only like each other, they love each other. Now, back to the bride and groom. I asked them in the presence of the other what they most admire about their spouse-to-be and each gave me one word...he said, "her drive; and she said, "he's simple." During the ceremony I shared this exchange and went on to say by simple I believe the bride means he's easy going, flexible, adaptable and how he will remind her to slow down and smell the roses. To him I said her strengths will carry you far in life since she's motivated, ambitious and focused, however it's important to have balance. Two Indian traditions were incorporated into the ceremony, the groom presented his bride with a beautiful necklace, quite delicate and exquisite and then his mother fed them both a sweet followed by the groom feeding his bride and the bride doing the same with her groom. I met this couple just moments before they exchanged vows, but time isn't a factor, they are two very special people with loving families and friends! Thank you for the pleasure of meeting you and standing with you on your wedding day.