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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: marriage

Inspiration Photo Friday: Experience

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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bob marley, happiness, Inspiration, journey, life, marriage, suffering, true love, truth, vows, wedding

The other day I came across a quote shared from the one and only Bob Marley. It resonated with me a great deal because its the truth. Not only did I totally agree with his words, felt it had a true connection to my life. These are the words of wisdom:

“If she is amazing, she won’t be easy. If she’s easy, she won’t be amazing. If she’s worth it, you won’t give up. If you give up, you’re not worthy… Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for”. ~ Bob Marley

Some may read this and say, true love doesn’t involve suffering or getting hurt and it shouldn’t be too hard. Well, you are wrong. Life is not a fairytale and neither is love. No relationship is easy. When I look back on just the few relationships in my life where I was actually in love with the person, they were all challenging. And some were even crazy at times. Sure, you will love a lot of people in your lifetime, and of course I have, but the few that were monumental are the ones that greatly contributed to who you are today. They are the ones which helped you grow and evolve as a person as well as helping you to learn what you need and want in a relationship.

I can say for sure that I’ve never been easy. It’s not that I am a difficult person to be with, I just have a multi faceted personality and bring a lot to the table. There were times where the person I was with never gave up on our love, as did I, and others where ending it was the right choice. And sometimes you just have to deal with the fact that you can be in love with someone but you are not meant to be together. It happens all the time and I know first hand how it feels. And Marley knows what he is talking about when he says everyone hurts you, because its true. It’s all a matter of who is worth suffering for and how much you can take. It’s a testament of patience, loyalty, and love – to know if the one you are with is worth all the hard work.

It all comes down to experience and learning through growth. I have had many challenges thrown at me, in all aspects of my life. And since a child, I was always curious  to see and taste the world around me. Because of this I’ve experienced a lot, like many other people. Sharing what I have been through with others has always been something I felt obligated to do. For it’s only the ones who have overcome that can inspire and help others.

As far as love, I believe we can never know if we were meant to be with someone forever, because people eventually change and everything always comes to an end. But I do know that who we choose to be with, prove to be the right ones over time. You simply can’t know in a month or a year, if it will truly last. But after you’ve both lived life together and taken on challenges as a team, your experience will speak volumes.

My husband Dan and I have been together for 5 years and married a little over a year. We have been through a great deal together since we met back in the summer of 2008.   I’ve never dreamed of getting married like many other girls. My success as an artist was always number one. But when I shared my vows with Dan on our wedding day, I was honest and true with every word. Below is a photo of our vows along with my bouquet, which I preserved. I treasure these very much because they are a testament to our relationship and the start of a new chapter of our lives together.

Neither of us has given up on each other and I feel we have both suffered enough in this relationship, as Marley states, for it to last years to come. All I can say for sure is that our connection will grow with each day and our love shall keep us strong. I believe we have created a foundation that will guide us when we are lost and provide comfort when we need it. For true love has no boundaries. And when you realize the true worth of that love, happiness overcomes the suffering.

bouquet1

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lots of Love

17 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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animals, anniversary, cottage, friendship, heart, life, love, marriage, massachusetts, nature, time, vacation, wedding

So much has been happening around here in my home, sometimes I forget to think. It’s  surely been crazy with the kitchen renovation taking over our lives and both of use trying to juggle work in between. Orders have been coming in and I am preparing for the Forgotten Friends of Long Island Spring Fair tomorrow, so I have been a little crazy. But its soon time to move forward and be able to actually relax.

Monday is my first wedding anniversary and I can’t believe a year has gone by already. I can close my eyes and imagine myself back at the farm marrying my best friend, like its yesterday. Even though that day was sort of a blur itself. So much has happened since then, like my life always tends to be. It’s never dull, thats for sure! But Monday will not only begin a new year with my husband, it will launch our much needed vacation. I am so excited.

We aren’t doing anything extravagant, just renting a little cottage in Massachusetts surrounded by nature. It will truly be a relaxing and peaceful time away from life here on Long Island. Our dogs will be with us as well, as they always are, so it will be nice to share some quality time, just us four. I am especially looking forward to time with Dan to reflect on our marriage and all that life has brought us since our wedding day. Quality time with him is a must.

So for this Inspiration Photo Friday, I ask you all to look at the loves in your life and let them know you appreciate them. Whether its a partner or friend, show them they have a place in your heart. Sometimes life can pull you away and become a distraction, so create that quality time and be in the moment. Time seems to continue to fly by, whether we want it to or not, so live life to the fullest and let your soul truly shine.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Lots of Love - Photo by Lauren Elle
Photograph by Lauren Elle Photography

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

15 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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celebrate, change, engaged, evolution, fate, love, marriage, meaing, numbers, patterns, proposal, valentines day

As we all know, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I never really cared much for the holiday but ever since Dan asked me to marry him 2 years ago, on this day, it gave a whole new meaning to the word Valentine. Because he chose this day to propose, it was unexpected and very sweet. He knew I wouldn’t think he would ask me on a holiday since we both felt that’s a little lame to do. Unfortunately, his original plan didn’t work out so he went with plan b. And of course I said yes! Such a sweet and personal experience indeed. It all ended with a gorgeous ring and a big kiss.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

Then, exactly a year later, Dan and I moved into our first home we bought together. The process was extremely exhausting and while also planning our wedding, it was quite overwhelming. Closing on the house was very gratifying, I must say. We were officially homeowners! We celebrated with glee. Then we got to work on the DIY renovations before we moved in. It just worked out that the 14th was the day we actually moved in and slept in the house. Even though we were catching our beauty sleep on the floor in the living room, we were super happy and felt very lucky to have our dream home.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

We have gone through so much in our house already and the memories just keep on adding up. It has been nice to see all the changes it has gone through since we moved in and made it ours. One of my favorite parts of house is the backyard. It’s cool to see how back there has evolved and changed throughout the year as well.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing
Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

I just feel that most of the time, it all comes down to timing. Coincidences don’t really exist, fate is constantly at work. The 14th is clearly a meaningful number for Dan and I. This year we had such a great day, another memory to add to the list. I have always been infatuated with numbers and patterns and can’t help looking deeper into things when they happen, especially when it involves numbers. Here are my thoughts on this.

The equation: 1+4=5
Dating back to the Pythagoreans, the number 5 represents love and marriage. Hence, Dan and I getting engaged. One by itself is known as the generator of all numbers and 4, stood for justice and order. As a whole, I see that as a message saying we have come together to start something that will bring order and completion to our lives. Because of our love and fate, we will share vows of marriage and honor. Having moved in our first home a year later only proves our course is positive and evolving.

To dive a little deeper we go into the original equation of when we got engaged:
2+1+4+2+0+1+1=11 {1+1}= 2 – You can read more about this number below

To me, its really that simple. When you include the day we first met and the day we got married, just for fun, it gets even more awesome. Our anniversary is the 11th and August of 2008 is when our relationship officially started.
So you have 8+1+1+2+0+0+8=20{0+2}= 2
The number two is the first female number and stands for opinion and division. This number is an important and memorable number in our existence. Just think of all the pairs there are: body parts, yin & yang, sun & moon, etc.. – you simply “can’t have one without the other” idea. This is a great starting point for Dan and I as our relationship would indeed justify the meaning of this number, we were a pair.

Then you take the date we got married. 5+2+0+2+0+1+2=12 {1+2}= 3
The number three is considered a masculine number and by combining one and two, it represents harmony. I couldn’t think of anything else more perfect to explain our wedding day.

Then to sum it all up you take {2} when our relationship started, {2} when we got engaged and {3} the day we got married and put them all into an equation to equal {7}. The number seven represents the natural world and most cannot exist without it. In religious circles its celebrated for many reasons as well as having importance in geometry, astronomy and science. It is known as the number of the Seeker in astrology and has characteristics that represent both the personalities of Dan and I. Doing all this analyzing is surely interesting!

So, think about the experiences you have had and what part timing has played to make it memorable. I can bet, when you break things down and see its hidden patterns, you will find that everything happens for a reason. And its not about justification, because how your life pans out is certainly supposed to unfold in that way. It’s about delving into deeper realms to understand, on a human level, how to make sense of the things that happen to us. Expand your mind and you will see all the truths and possibilities.

Claire la Faye: Dreaming Bridal

11 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in The Bride & Groom, Weddings

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bridal, bride, Claire la Faye, dresses, events, getting married, gowns, marriage, weddings

Claire la Faye

Claire la Faye is one of my favorite bridal designers because she creates gowns that are unique, beautiful, romantic and simply lovely. Her work screams glam without all the drama and glitz, which is hard to come by. I have never worn one of her dresses but I can imagine you feel like a queen floating on clouds. Maybe one day I will have the honor but until then, I am in awe.

Claire la Faye
Photo Credit: Claire la Faye

Graduating from Parsons School of Design in NYC, Claire’s career evolved from a line of reconsructed tee’s and soon enough, success was knocking at her door. Because her bridal line is so skillfully made and uniquely created, you wouldn’t think she entered the wedding curcuit just two years ago. But thanks to her, non traditional brides everywhere can wear her whimsical pieces and not only feel on the top of the world but prove like heavan is a place on earth.

Today Claire lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Here are some of my favorite gowns that are simply irresistable.

Claire la Faye
Some Kind of Wonderful

Claire la Faye
Midsummers Night Dream

Claire la Faye
Angels Dance

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