Some people are fearful about the triangle in Bermuda. But if one grew up in the East Coast and dreamt about the most perfect honeymoon destination, it would be Bermuda where one can find pink sand between your toes.
When Joy and I wed in 1972, I was between my first and second year of seminary in Boston. Joy was a secretary at the state Baptist office and I was about to begin my field education that paid only $35 a week. Fortunately, our one-room studio at Andover Newton was only $90 a month including utilities. But we were still very poor to go to Bermuda.
Alternatively, we drove to Virginia because there was a slogan that read, “Virginia is for Lovers.” We have two mugs to prove that we were there. We stayed in Newport News, trekked the Blue Ridge Mountains, traipsed around the city of Richmond but it was not Bermuda. When our son and daughter-in-law went to Bermuda for their honeymoon, we were envious.
Conveniently on my way home after a Baptist mission trip to Thailand, Joy joined me and we celebrated our 10th in Honolulu but it was not Bermuda. Amassing enough mileage points, we celebrated our 20th in San Juan but it was not Bermuda. For our 30th, we went back to NYC where we were married and enjoyed the city life of the Big Apple but it was not Bermuda. For our 40th, we traveled down under to Sydney and Melbourne but it was still not Bermuda.
Whenever I have provided pre-marriage counseling, I never forget to advise couples that if they can attain their dream honeymoon they should try so that there would be no regrets.
Now that I have lived more years than I have years still to live, we will not wait another 5 years but will celebrate our 45th in Bermuda! I suspect Bermuda will fascinate us with its beauty and history like many other amazing places around the world have done. Bermuda will finally make our matrimonial dreams come true but more significantly, Bermuda is a reminder of what marriage and faithful commitments are all about. After 45 years, we still love each other “for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live.”
Jesus must have enjoyed weddings when he ensured that there was enough good wine in Cana (John 2). May all of your anniversaries be happy and your dreams come true!