Marrying after a Divorce - Thank you!

Dear NewlyWeds-UK and Resident Reverend,

I was reading your articles and I was particularly struck by the reference to divorce. I am myself divorced, some 7 years ago. Life was not better without my husband. I married a man I did not love, but even so my the time we had divorced I had certain grown very fond of him. I had a very difficult 5 years post divorce and found myself close to a breakdown. I am now happily engaged to a man whom I love with my whole heart and whom I am excited to be marrying in August 2008.

However, we have chosen to go abroad because family interference have made the planning of this wonderful event very stressful and joyless at times. I was minded however by your comments regarding the ceremony being one day and the marriage
starting thereafter for life. I have been trying to placate family by having a celebratory meal on our return, but even that has turned into a headache. The fact is that my future husband and I want to stand together and pledge our love for each other and vow to cherish each other for life. Cherish is an interesting word as it really means so much - I wonder how often over the last few months I have forgotten to cherish this man whom I love and respect and whom is my best friend, when we have been in the midst of wedding angst.

Thank you for your words. I will try and ask myself everyday and I cherishing this special man and maybe ask him to keep a note of our vows and ask him to consider whether he is actually keeping them. Again thank you for refocusing my mind on the important aspects of marriage.

Paula