Most of my friends are single. On the one hand, that’s awesome because I don’t feel so alone but on the other hand, that’s awful because my friends are beautiful and funny and smart and if I was a dude.. I’d be pursuing marriage! Recently I wrote a very very sweet friend of mine a letter, and during that process stumbled upon this idea that I loved. So I will share it.
It is strange how in our society, desiring to get married is seen as some form of insecurity or lack of aspiration. As a single girl, if I were to be vocal about desiring to get married at some point in my life, it would start to make people think I was desperate and unhappy with where I am in life. Which, by the way, is completely untrue. It is quite possible to be both completely content in one’s single self and at the same time very excited at the idea of getting married. These aren’t “one or the other.”
The more I hear my friends sheepishly talk about wanting to get married, the more frustrated I get that it has to be a secret battle. If we are all sitting in the same boat, kind of wondering if there’s anything we can do to increase our chances of departing or enjoying the remaining time or learning from each other.. then why are we completely acting as if our current boat and the marriage boat are completely unrelated, or even worse.. that the thought of the other boat is even crossing our minds?
So in the face of this idea that longing to get married implies some sort of incompletion, handicap, or desperation I will publicly declare that I, Stephanie Orefice, look forward to being married to someone really awesome one day.
Today I was talking to Cassie about how much I hate romance .This is no big secret. The thought of roses and teddy bears and poems and candles and stuff.. that makes me want to vomit.
But the truth is, I’ve already been romanced.
And this is love: not that we loved God, but that God first loved us and sent His son…
....but this is a bit much.
Girls who love their fathers a lot are the ones who want to marry someone just like their Dad. I love my Father a lot. and I want to marry someone who reflects Him.
Even when I did not know Him, he burned with passion for me. Even before I’d met him, he wanted to be the only one in my life. He loved me and cherished me and laid down himself so that we could be together eternally.
I want to marry someone who reflects my Daddy. Someone who is concerned for me and praying for me and so thankful for me even though I have never met them. It is what my Daddy did for me. He set the standards high and while nobody can match that romance, there is the opportunity to experience that same Daddy-centered romance in an earthly capacity.
Genesis 29:20
So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.
Again. I, Stephanie Orefice, look forward to being married to someone really awesome one day.
Happy belated Valentine’s Day.
