Wood

Six short years ago I embarked on this journey called marriage, but the story of course started many years before. It started similar to many others: a slow methodical courtship (not to be misconstrued as boring) gradually progressing to the altar. At that time I recognized that I was a bit slow to 'pull the trigger' and make the ultimate commitment, but with the benefit of time, I now know that the timing and progression of our relationship needed that four and a half years.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to witness my friend's nuptials - an enjoyable mixture of a modern wedding infused with long standing Asian tradition. This event, falling on the eve of my own six year wedding anniversary, caused me to reflect back fondly on my wife's wedding day (I'm smart enough to know that day was for and about her; I was merely a prop in the play), the six years we've been married, and more importantly, to look ahead toward the future.

Looking back on those years it hit me that day after day, without much fanfare or any moments of epiphony, my feelings for the woman that looked me in the eye and said "I do" grow every day. Of course we have our moments, who doesn't? Life would be dull if we didn't. But for every one of those moments, which are few and far between, there are countless others that remind me how lucky I am and how life for me is pretty darn good, and bound to get better.

Obviously nobody can predict the future, but a little over two years ago, I met my contribution to it and promptly accepted responsibility to prepare my daughter for her role in shaping it. What I didn't expect though, was that I would learn more than I teach, and love more than I thought possible. I'm experiencing that the view of the world from the perspective of a two year old is: new and exciting but sometimes scary; challenging, but most often fun; and in the case of our child - full of love and admiration from the world around her, not just her parents.

As I embark on my seventh year of marriage, I look forward to loving another and no longer worry that I don't have the capacity to love them all.

Why wood? I admit to not knowing the traditional answer, so I'll create my own. Day after day, year after year, a tree slowly grows. You can't really see it getting bigger and stronger each day, but over time there is no mistaking its growth and presence.

Afforded the perspective of six years, I think wood is the perfect substance to symbolize my marriage.