Newlywed Life | How a Diamond Taught Me How to Die
/LINDSAY TREZZA
My husband Vinnie and I recently celebrated our first anniversary. Through all of the ups and downs of this first year together, I can say with 100% certainty that I love him more now than I did on our wedding day. Though the majority of this first year together has been incredibly sweet, my biggest challenge has been learning how to die.
Photography: Mary Katherine Photography, seen in Anna + Patrick | Pennsylvania Country Club Wedding
When Vinnie and I picked out our wedding bands a year and a half ago, we had a black diamond welded inside of each of our rings to remind us that in marriage, we must put the other's needs before our own. Simply put, we must die to ourselves. In times of struggle, I remind myself of that tiny black stone, reminding me of the vows I took to honor this through all of the good times, bad times, and downright inconvenient times.
Allow me to explain the “inconvenient” part: recently, we were presented with a last-minute opportunity to join my husband’s family on a camping trip across the country. When he introduced the idea to me, I was anything but a happy camper. The trip was the very next day, and we still needed to book a flight. Also, camping! “Can’t you go without me?” I pleaded. My needs swirled around in my head and flew out of my mouth like daggers. I wanted to stay home, save our money, sleep in our comfy bed, distance myself from mosquitoes, bears, and anything else with the capability to crawl on or eat me.
In all my frustration, I was still reminded of the black diamond and what it symbolized. For the first time in this predicament, I put my needs aside and thought of what Vinnie’s were: to spend time with family whom he hadn’t seen in over six months, to adventure with his wife, who has never been camping before, to see beautiful sights, to wake up beneath gorgeous redwood trees.
So we booked our flights, packed our bags, and hit the road. When we were greeted at the campsite, I was surprised to instantly feel at ease. I ended up enjoying the hikes, fires, and meals, and I’d also like to point out that nothing crawled on me and I was not eaten by a wild animal. Only by grace, was I able put my needs aside in this situation and love my husband despite my fears. God met me in my fear, and blessed those days we'll cherish.
Lindsay Trezza is the owner of Just Love Prints, a graphic design and watercolor shop. A lover kickboxing, finding treasures at yard sales, and frozen yogurt, she lives in a tiny town in Connecticut with her husband and family.