The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is an absolutely stunning location on its own. The architecture and landscape alone make it a storybook place to celebrate any occasion. What drew us in to wanting to commemorate our union as a married couple here was not only the sense of awe and wonder you experience, or the respect this location commands, but it's history and metaphorical connection to us as a couple.
Not many who have visited this incredibly popular spot know of its history. After the devastating earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1906, the project to construct the Palace of Fine Arts was meant to show the world that San Francisco was industrious and could rise from the ashes, rebuild, and become stronger after such a monumental natural disaster.
Throughout the decades, with unending support from the City and its community, the Palace of Fine Arts has survived through 2 World Wars, weathering, and erosion. Efforts to preserve this monument between the 1950's to the 1970's is the only reason this amazing structure can still be visited.
Sometimes I feel as though Jerry and I are up against a similar battle. Marriage was once considered to be a sacred union, one that was only entered into out of love, commitment, and genuine need for the other person over a lifetime. Unfortunately today, marriage does not have such a happy connotation. Long-term, healthy relationships are few and far between, and part of the reason I choose to marry, is to re-instill the sanctity of it. I grow tired of the new age thought processes that seem to run from any and all responsibility or commitment. In a way, we're taking the idea of marriage back to what it used to be.
I have no doubts that our wedding day will be all that we hoped, but more importantly, I have no doubts that our marriage will last and prove how strong we are as a couple and eventually as a family.
