The Anniversary Dance

This past Saturday I helped my best friend do photography for a wedding.  I absolutely LOVE working with her.  It is very hard work but it never actually feels like work because we always just have fun with it.

I think my favorite part of this wedding was at the reception.  When the bridal dances were done the bride and groom had pre-requested an Anniversary Dance.  This is where all the married couples go out to the dance floor and the DJ calls various lengths of time.  Whoever has been married that long sits down (or in this case, surrounds the dance floor), always starting with 24 hours or less (for the bride and groom) and working the way up until only one couple is left.

As Alicia and I ran around trying to make sure we got pictures of each couple on the floor I paid closer attention to each couple.  Whether they had been married for 2 years or 20 it was so refreshing to still see the love they had for their spouse in their faces. 

The DJ made it all the way up to 62 years of marriage....WOW!!!  The couple who had been married this long was a sweet little old couple.  One of them walked with a walker but this didn't stop them from getting on that dance floor for this special dance.  They stood with the walker between them, still swaying to the music.  My heart truly melted.

Another couple was actually celebrating their 50th anniversary that very day.  The DJ played the song they danced to for their first dance 50 years ago.  I had to blink hard and fast to keep the tears from spilling over.

I have seen the Anniversary Dance done at receptions before but this time it really struck me.  I think because of my own marriage and how much love Mark and I have for each other. 

In my opinion this was such a beautiful thing to witness.  The ceremony itself was beautiful but this.....this display of marriages with years of love and faith was truly something.  They still held each other close, head to head or her head on his chest or shoulder. 

My heart is truly happy and I look forward to having many Anniversary Dances with my husband.