By Ashley McIlwain Like most ladies out there, I grew up on fairytales. Those feel-good Disney movies filled with princesses, princes, singing, castles, “true” love, and happy endings. My sisters and I would dance across the living room twirling, singing, and acting out all of our favorite parts. All the while, deep down inside creating
By Ashley McIlwain I wish so badly that, when we walk down the aisle as bride and groom, we could see each other for all that we really are. Past the pure white and big smiles. Past the euphoria and excitement. Past the notion of a “perfect day.” Instead, transparent with our brokenness, baggage, issues,
By Ashley McIlwain I was talking to a friend the other day who recently got engaged. She looked at me and said, “I just feel so emotional about getting married. It’s like an identity crisis because who I’ve been and known myself to be is changing forever. Am I crazy?” My reply was, “Of course
By Ashley McIlwain Many times falling in love is equated with a leap of faith, and with good reason. It can be scary jumping head first into a relationship let alone a marriage. After all, you are about to make yourself completely vulnerable, which also means leaving yourself completely open to getting hurt. Giving your
By Ashley McIlwain Foreword: A Letter to Newlyweds was inspired by my sister’s recent marriage. As I began thinking about the things I wanted to say to her and her husband about marriage, I found myself frantically writing. Nowadays marriage seems to be entered into lightly, ignorantly, and with little preparation, and as a result,
By Ashley McIlwain Foreword: A Letter to Newlyweds was inspired by my sister’s recent marriage. As I began thinking about the things I wanted to say to her and her husband about marriage, I found myself frantically writing. Nowadays marriage seems to be entered into lightly, ignorantly, and with little preparation, and as a result,
