I thought that the magical months of planning the sacred event of my wedding would end on my wedding day. But the unifying of two people, two homes, two families and communities continues to offer my world reverence.

There is a beautiful exchange that happens when a new life is sparked…. when the emergence of a “we” is witnessed and celebrated.

Each person who contributed to the celebration: from dress makers to hosts, to caterers and servers, to speakers and musicians, can read a note of my gratitude again and again. Every person who witnessed our special day, coming from places near and far, enjoy the gathered photos of themselves embracing our promises.

Showing these people the joy and meaning that they each brought to our union has brought me to sentimental tears. This expressed what “I” deemed important. They are all our extended family now.

These people will forever hold us, Anthony and I, accountable to uphold the “we” that he and I committed to. Reminding us of the dedication to unconditional love we promised each other.

Even though Anthony and I are keeping our individual NYC rent stabilized apartments, we are uniting them to support our new “we.” Sharing TV networks between dwellings, adding an extra phone line to share one bill, opening a joint bank account to save for vacations, discussing Wills and end-of-life choices all empower our “we.”

While our individual spaces feed our individual “I,”the two apartments and 6-blocks between them is a home “we” can thrive in… including Cafe du Soliel where we met!

As the flowers from the wedding die, bottles of Spirits are drank, and the gifts are divided between homes with wrappings discarded, the wedding day grows further and further away. But the sacred “we” grows stronger. Not only because we choose us, but because our new extended family choose us too.

Our alliances to those who participated grow deeper as “we” love deeper. Our hearts continue to feel the outpouring of love we were showered with. Even Mother Nature shined her light on us. We were touched by Grace in every way.

The Grace I speak of, is being a part of something bigger than me or Anthony… something that is good and has the best intentions for all… a container of love and light. “We” are that container.

Life may look the same, but it feels different.

Anthony and I have chosen each other. We stand together in love and inspire unconditional love for life. No matter what is thrown our way, we will lean into our container of love and light. He makes me feel beautiful and I make him feel lucky. Not just for a day, but every day.

Grace is restored by trusting love. Grace is built by acting on love. Grace is lived by enjoying love.

A wedding day does not define a marriage; but, the extended family that it creates supports its success.

Comment with your sacred story about love & light.