Best. Day. Ever.

My wedding day.

16 years ago today, I had the best day ever. I deeply connected with one of the most amazing people in the world. I can’t imagine life without living that day. It changed my world for the better. On August 12, 1995, I married Kia Gabrielle Antisdel. I have so many great memories of that day, the ensuing honeymoon and our first year of marriage.

The bliss did end. We have faced our share of struggles. We have been seriously mad at each other. We have had to work hard. We have met alone and with counselors. We have had a lot of issues to work through.

Through it all, we have learned to share. Share our triumphs and failures. Share our mistakes and our successes.

The silver bullet.

We live in a culture that says long-term commitment to marriage is optional. At any point we can walk away. We can move on when the relationship is too hard; when we don’t love the other person; when we don’t feel like it anymore.

To have a marriage that lasts a lifetime, it has to be more than a contract. Marriage is a covenant. A bond for life that will fail if both people don’t fully commit. The commitment to “no easy outs” forces Kia and I to go against the grain of culture we live in.

I know people who are looking for the silver bullet to make marriage work. True love. Money. Children. A new house. Fill in your own blank.

There isn’t a magic pill to create a loving marriage.

Marriage is hard work.

Commit.

For those of you who are married, or will someday be married, this is my plea to you – commit. Fully and wholly give yourself to your spouse and the bond of marriage. Commit to do what it takes to stay married. Don’t do it for your kids, your finances, or your business, but do it for yourself.

Looking back 16 years ago, I didn’t foresee much of what has transpired. I didn’t expect to be involved in the photo industry. I didn’t know anything about the internet (much less a blog). I didn’t see myself living in a small town of a couple thousand people.

At the same time, I did see life with Kia. I did see having children. I did see working to build and bless people’s lives.

I committed.