I'll be the first to admit that I was not ecstatic when Marcus and Adrienne first started dating. Whether it was taking the red car until late evening on Valentine's Day delaying their dinner date or referring to Adrienne in my cell phone as "Marcus locator," I chalk up most of my behavior during that period to a ridiculous immaturity I was slowly growing out of.
I'm sure that there are plenty of other examples of my childish reaction to them dating, which Adrienne likely saved in a PDF file if you want to know them all. But you have to understand in the first year they were in that puppy love stage of constantly giggling, incapable of being apart for more than 10 minutes, and talking on the phone for hours on end. And I think because Marcus was my brother, I found the awkwardness suffocating anytime it was just me and the two of them.
But thankfully I eventually grew up and Adrienne showed me incredible mercy so that by the time of the wedding I realized just how perfectly they fit together. Ten years ago today I was so excited to stand beside my brother to witness his dream come true, which was to fall in love with a Godly woman and for that woman to love him in return. If you're like me, then you probably keep a list of the best days of your life. Well for me, Marcus and Adrienne's wedding remains in my top 5.
In the five years since losing Marcus, I can't tell how many times I wished I could stay in that moment just a little bit longer. That moment when Marcus and Adrienne's faces were glowing, and my parents' hearts were swelling. But moments are just that...moments. What matters most is that we appreciate every second, cherish every minute, savor every hour of our best days. Because it will be those precious moments that God has afforded you, which will keep you afloat on your worst days.
Every now and then I wonder how I might react if God ever sees fit to have me stand at the altar as he had done for Marcus. How does one respond when a dream once thought impossible suddenly becomes reality? How does one react when the most beautiful woman you've ever seen stands before you dressed all in white? I'm confident my reaction won't be all that different from the way Marcus responded ten years ago today. Overcome with immeasurable joy, Marcus reacted the only way a man could when standing in the presence of such beauty. Marcus cried.
Happy Anniversary Marcus and Adrienne.
CJE