Small Business of a Broken Promise

Weddings.

Love them for the tender committment they celebrate.

Not so much for the craziness that overtakes some brides so that they ought to be committed. . .

Years ago, my family hosted weddings and receptions at our comfortable and casual B&B. We welcomed the nicest guests in the world, and as one young woman noted, “The events you hold here are more like family reunions with a wedding in the middle. The emphasis is on the joyful relationships, not so much solely on the bride.”

One gorgeous autumn weekend, proud parents had rented the entire inn and invited about forty guests to join them in celebrating their daughter’s wedding. For rehearsal dinner, the young couple had prepared the meal and served it themselves to friends and family in our bright and cheery dining room, giving thanks for their presence in their lives.

Following the feast, the bride brought a figurine to me for safe-keeping: a homespun Willow Tree statue of a young man and woman holding lovingly to one another, titled “Promise.” She explained how she and her fiance had picked it out especially for the cake, to illustrate the promise of their love to one another. I gave her my word I would keep it tucked securely in a corner of the kitchen until needed.

Saturday dawned crisp, bright and beautiful, a perfect day for a wedding.

I was making breakfast—and I still don’t know how it happened—but I knocked the beloved decoration onto the floor. One of the groom’s legs broke off, and took part of the bride with it. I stood there in horror, wondering how in the world I was going to tell Annie*.

I soon had the opportunity to find out. When she came into the kitchen, I gulped, grabbed the two pieces, and confessed what I’d done. I told her a new one was already on its way and would arrive well before the ceremony. Then I held my breath, nervously awaiting her response.

She laughed, looking over the pieces, and commented at the irony of the now broken Promise. She even offered to put it back together if I had some glue.

The rest of the day flew by flawlessly, with the young couple marrying under a brilliant orange sunset, an unbroken Promise in their hearts and on their cake. The funny story made the rounds of the guests, and everyone got a good chuckle out of it.

The moral?

Remember it’s not the trappings of the wedding that will hold your marriage together, but the strength of the relationship that is the real glue.

May you find happiness wherever you are! Kim @ Too Darn Happy

*Not her real name

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Kim Hall

Writer

Kim Hall created Too Darn Happy with the mission of helping you find happiness in all circumstances through the encouragement of faith, the practice of gratitude, and the discovery of joy, all spun together with fresh perspectives, practical advice, and a personal touch. She recently authored her first ebook, Practicing Gratitude and Discovering Joy-30 Days to a Happier You.