Small Business of a Broken Promise

By Kim Hall on Friday, April 5, 2013

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

QUESTION: What is your best piece of advice for a bride and groom on their wedding day?  (NEW: You can now leave comments on this page – just scroll down and click the Comments button)

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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.

 

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  • Cindy

    An apropos title! Love the story.

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      Thanks so much Cindy!

    • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

      Agreed! Love it!!

  • http://twitter.com/fiercedivablog Ilene Evans

    I have heard that before – that it’s not about the wedding but all the days that come afterward that matter – and it’s some of the most excellent advice you can give a young couple. Lovely message!

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      I’m so tickled you joined me here today, Ilene! I agree that it is good advice for a young couple. However, the question for me is how to help them see it, especially in the thick of planning a blow out wedding. :-)

  • http://www.OurStoriesGodsGlory.blogspot.com/ Elise Daly Parker

    Just love this story! And the grace that lovely bride showed you…I pray she is still showing that to others, especially her husband. Blessings!

    • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

      We love it too! And you are so right, Elise. The grace received will hopefully be the same grace given.

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      She did indeed show me grace, Elise. I had heard some real horror stories about Jekyll/Hyde brides from other innkeepers who hosted weddings. I was so relieved for the grace and forgiveness!

  • http://www.livingjoel225.com/ Christine

    I’m the last person qualified to answer your question but WOW, what a post, Kim!! As someone who never had a wedding, I couldn’t agree more! : )

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      Thank you so much Christine! I hope we are able to spread the word of truly joyful marriages through the stories on this site!

  • aualecia

    What great advice! And a beautiful story, thanks for sharing Kim.

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      You are most welcome, Aualecia, and thanks so much for stopping by!

  • http://twitter.com/apriljharris April Harris

    What a lovely story! It must have been amazing hosting so many weddings, and think how many people have happy memories of starting their lives together at your B&B.

    • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

      Wasn’t that a beautiful story, April? Can’t wait to hear more of Kim’s stories.

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      It was a true honor to become friends with so many families, April. We always joked about how fortunate we were to be adopted by so many. :-)

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Wonderful message Kim! What a gracious bride! I had a couple of hiccups in my own wedding and it took the hand of God to be gracious…lol. my mentors drilled this to our head “Love is spelled C.O.M.M.I.T.M.E.N.T” We didn’t understand the entirely of the message (I don’t think any one does) But we caught up mighty fast. Great post!

    • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

      Love that, Ngina!!

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      I don’t know that there is anything sweeter than being able to look back on your wedding day, bumps and all, and be glad for the grace you were able to show. Thanks so much for sharing, Ngina!

      • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

        Yeah!! The comments are working for you again :) .

        • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

          Yay! Disqus must have been having the hiccups. ;-p

  • CarolGPaperCrafts

    Hi Kim, We also had an unfortunate surprise around our wedding, when we discovered that the chef/manager of our reception restaurant had absconded with half the furniture shortly before the wedding! But the staff pulled together a great event anyway – not exactly what we had planned, but we discovered that it didn’t matter. It was the people who were there with us that were more important than the food!
    And as far as advice for the about-to-be-wed couple, I would suggest to take a few minutes right before starting the ceremony to THINK and FOCUS on the person you are about to marry, and this will allow you to make the words you are about to say feel meaningful. Ignore all the details of who is supposed to be standing where, how does the dress look… because years later you will remember little of that but will still be with the one you love!

    • http://twitter.com/happywivesclub Happy Wives Clubâ„¢

      This is such an important point, Carol!

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      Wow, I’d say that takes the cake, but it would be more accurate to say he took the furniture. ;-D
      So glad you were able to focus on the goodness of the day rather than what the chef took away. That is excellent advice for the bride and groom. I imagine it might help them calm their nerves, too!

  • marichu delgado

    whether the marriage is at its simplicity or grandiosity…at the end of the day what matters most is how the couple could cope up with the storms of life that are sure to come along the way…if they truly love each other,nothing could come between them to break their vows that they professed with God….they have to trust and truly respect one another,be at its high or low moments….

    • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ Kim Hall

      Well said! Together forever, truly for better or worse.