Sweet 19 year old bride with love in your eyes…What a beautiful wedding day! It really couldn’t have been better. From the temple, to church, to dinner and reception it couldn't have been more wonderful. That dress, his tux, you both looked stunning. You can’t imagine what the next 5 years will hold but you are ready to conquer the world without time to question what you are getting yourself into. You are just a baby yourself and have no idea what it means to be an adult let alone a wife... but with that handsome young man by your side officially yours forever and eternity... well, you just wait.
Beautiful little bride with life in your eyes, explore and connect as much as you can on your honeymoon! Five years from now you won’t care about the rash from the water-slides or the sore throat from nearly drowning in the wave pool, because when you have a nearly two year old toddler wrapped around your legs at all times, you will long for a day of exotic exploration and even a nap, so soak it all up!
In that first six months, you will stand with all you can for “rightness.” Don’t bother. To this day if that sweet boy standing next to you says the sky is purple, there is nothing you will be able to do to convince him that it is blue. Practice with me my dear, “Yes, what a lovely purple sky we are having today, my darling.” Let him paint the sky the way he wants and support him, right or wrong.
Pay the electric bill. He isn’t paying any bills because he thought you were… And you obviously weren’t either. It’s okay. It will last only one month. No power means no lights. Early bedtimes aren't always a bad thing. Make the most of it. Make him believe in you. Through thick and thin stand by his side. You wont be poor forever.
Oh sweet little wife with hurt in your eyes, you just wait…Try to remember that he isn’t perfect and that neither are you. You will quickly learn how to hurt each other effectively. Do not use your words as weapons. There will be no greater regret, and you will never be able to “unsay” it. Take the time to find each other and know what's in their heart. Hope will rise in your soul and joy will return to your heart. Don't fret. You will not lose your faith. There is nothing in the world you two can’t handle together. Forgiveness will be your greatest weapon against grief. Slow down. Enjoy married life. Take short trips. Explore. Enjoy each other’s company because a sweet lil angel baby is going to surprise you both.
Sweet little student wife with stress in your eyes, it will get easier. School is just one stepping stone, just one. Soon you will graduate and so will he, both with honors, celebrate. You will start to make money and all that stress and hard work, it'll pay off, just you wait, it IS worth it. Oh and all those luxuries you wanted and trips you day dreamed about- the ones all your friends had and were taking. Five years from now when they are still paying for it, you will be paying cash for that same thing 5x over again with all the interest you saved. Good job!
Sweet little momma with love in your eyes, life will never be the same. Your priorities will all change. Your attention will be on the baby. Put the baby in the crib every now and then and look at your husband, he's exhausted too, but he always saves a little love for you. Embrace the new love you discover in him. You will love him more for the way he loves your baby. Just you wait, your heart wont know how to handle all this new love, this deep never-ending love.
Sweet little Grad-School wife with hope in your eyes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You will move across states for him to pursue his dreams. You will buy your first house and want to remodel and make it yours. Your husband will be right about just about everything when it comes to the remodeling process. Save your breath at Home-Depot. Unless of course you enjoy eating crow.
Sweet little bride, that man will put your wants above his own for years. Notice it. Love him fully, and tell him how much you appreciate him every day. He loves you so much even if he isn’t very good at “saying how he feels.” Five years from now you will realize that he has shown you with hard work and dedication just how much he adores you. Listen to his heart. Take the time to understand him. Don't let him get lost with life. He needs you just as much as you need him. Embrace working together. Celebrate success. Have common goals. Support him, he already supports you. Pray together and dream big. "Hardships prepare the most ordinary people for an extraordinary future."
Oh sweet little bride, there is so much more that I wish that I could tell you. There is so much that you couldn’t ever foresee, but 5 years from now you will love that boy more than you do on this day. You will grow up together and make the journey into adulthood holding each other’s hands. You will change almost completely from the people you are today, but, the Lord will grow you together. He will keep you together. There will be moments when you want to call it quits, when you don't even recognize the man standing across from you. You will wonder why you said, "yes" so young and question how the hell you got "here." You will cry and want to give up. You will wonder if your marriage is going to fail, and then... it won't. He will hug you and remind you of God's promises for your lives together. You will find peace in him arms. After all those fights he is still your heaven on earth.
Sweet little momma wife, God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave you that precious boy standing next to you. Trust God. Love your husband. Enjoy every minute of the journey… because 5 years from now, you will love him more than you ever thought you could and you will wonder how those 5 years could have possibly passed so quickly. Oh sweet little bride you just wait.... Your dreams have only just began....
