letter from the editor
February 2017 the love and marriage issue
MELIA FLOWERS founder / editor / publisher
o ne of the things that I personally enjoy so much about She Magazine ’ s Annual LOVE AND MARRIAGE Issue is reading the wedding stories that come straight from the hearts of the young brides that we feature each year .
So many of those young brides approach love and marriage from a perspective that shows they are far more prepared for marriage than I was at their ages . I was in my mid-forties before I experienced love as it was meant to be between a man and a woman , a fact for which I blame myself . In hindsight , I know that I failed to wait for God to send me the one whom He created especially for me . After Dan came into my life , in time , I came to see that when you are paired with the right man , it truly is not difficult at all . The ease of a relationship with equal adoration and respect is simply a beautiful thing that offers no room or time for sorrow . Before Dan came into my life , I was totally clueless as to the joy finding “ the one ” can bring . That is not easy to share , but important , I think . If I can impart to even one woman the relevance of seeking God ’ s will for her life in that area , I do not want to miss the opportunity .
If I allow myself to think about all the years that I spent without the love of Dan , the most wonderful man I ’ ve ever known , the pain and the sadness feel unbearable . Yet , as my wise boyfriend never fails to point out to me , we were brought together in God ’ s perfect timing . I know he is right . Dan is always right . He tells me that he was being made into the man that I needed him to be . I wonder , as well , if I had not gone through the unbearable heartache and disappointments , would I appreciate Dan the way that I do now ? I like to think that I would have always had the good sense to know how wonderful that man was , had I met him in my younger years . Surely , unless all of my senses had taken a leave of absence , I would have always recognized his worth . However , how am I to know that ? As much as it hurts me to think about all the time wasted without Dan in my life , it hurts even more to think that I could have had him in my life and not been able to love him as he deserves .
With all things considered , I know that Dan is indeed right- we were brought together in God ’ s timing , and as he also is quick to remind me , we have an eternity together . Forget ‘ til death do us part - I am counting on walking the streets of heaven with Dan .
Perhaps it is this mentality that has resulted in us taking our time with our relationship . Since we met nearly four years ago this May , we have been intentional in our care and feeding of our love , wanting to do everything right this time . Though rarely does a day pass without someone asking me , “ When are you getting married ?” we have taken our time and enjoyed our courtship .
So ... it is with so much joy I can barely contain myself that I share my very own LOVE AND MARRIAGE surprise with you , my She Magazine friends . I - the same girl who once proclaimed in an editor ’ s letter just three months before Dan came into my life that I would never even date again , much less get married - accepted a ring from my handsome man , Dan , a couple of months ago .
Yes , it has been a long time coming . In spite of the “ when are you two going to get married ?” remarks that constantly come our way , we choose to smile and continue on our path , our way , seeking only the desires of our hearts and , most importantly , God ’ s desire for us .
6 FEBRUARY 2017 SHEMAGAZINE . COM