This Sunday Shadi and I will get to celebrate our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Sabbagh, and I can’t help thinking of the words we told each other on our wedding day. We had planned to do a “first look” before our ceremony, where I got to tap him on the shoulder and he would see me for the first time. We wanted to have that sweet moment to ourselves; we selfishly didn’t want anyone else to be a part of it. I think a perk of being present at so many weddings is experiencing so many different ways of doing things – this part of our day was our favorite.

Shadi and I are both wordy people I guess you could say. We enjoy talking for hours at coffee shops. We would rather get dinner and talk to each other across the booth for hours rather than do something more adventurous.

There were things we wanted to tell each other that were too close to hearts to share in front of 250 people, so we decided to share them with just each other.

I had tapped these words on a note in my phone the day before, and then frantically the morning of our wedding my beautiful bridesmaid Carey scribbled them on a piece of paper as I was getting ready.

These were the words I wanted just for my husband:

“Dear Shadi,

Over the last 4 years, I have gotten to know you over a lot of coffee, long talks, and countless adventures. Growing up, I never could have dreamed up a man as thoughtful, kind, and gracious as you’ve been to me through all of our time together. You have forgiven me when I was undeserving, and you have encouraged my wildest dreams when they seemed extremely far fetched.

I think I’ve always wanted the same things – someone who was my best friend and someone who makes me laugh. I never knew I needed someone that could soften my rough edges, and refine me as a person, heart and soul.

You are my best friend, my greatest advocate, and the one person who celebrates me despite knowing my flaws more deeply than anyone else on the planet.

You have illustrated Jesus’ love for me so lavishly, and I will forever be grateful for that.

I vow to you today to always encourage the unique light that is inside of you, compromising my dreams for the ones we will create together. I vow to depend on the Lord to curb my selfish independence, and in turn learn how to serve you and our family more and more every day.

You were worth waiting for. Although our waiting is over, you will always be the one worth waiting for.

I love you.”

Merry Christmas from the Sabbaghs! We are so thankful for the gift of this past year, and the gift of Jesus.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

IMAGES BY NIKKI SANTERRE PHOTOGRAPHY