The Art of Marriage
An Excerpt from The Art Of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.
This was an excerpt that meant something to Doreen VanTil on the day she said 'I do' to Bob McDonough on their wedding day on
Saturday September 2nd, 2023 on Beaver Island at Donegal Bay.
10 years ago Bob's sister Colleen suggested Bob ask Doreen out...the rest, as they say, is history.
There were a few bumps along the way, as there are in all relationships, but at the end of the day Doreen told me she has never loved anyone the way she loves Bob. She describes how they 'just click' and the longer they've been together how much better they have learned to communicate.
And now they have combined their beautiful families, Bob's daughter Ireland, his stepson Josh, and Bob's adorable grandson, Weston are all now officially related to Doreen's 4 children-Ben,Sarah, and twin girls Ashley and Courtney- along with Doreen's two grandchildren, Hunter and beautiful Amelia.
And while not everyone could be at the ceremony on the island, Doreen's two oldest children and grandson were there in spirit.
In the meantime Bob and Doreen's friends came together to have some great food provided by the The Elks as well as some drinks atop Bob's phenomenal bar piece conveniently located in a warehouse owned by one of his family members.
Laughs and good times were had by all and that is a great start to what I hope is many years of happiness to come to this great couple.
I connected instantly with Doreen in a very real way and I personally want nothing more than for this wonderful woman to have found the man of her dreams.
And honestly it gives ME hope that I, myself, may find mine someday.
All my best to Bob and Doreen,
With much love, Roxanne
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"For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It's always our self we find in the sea.
"For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It's always our self we find in the sea."
-E.E. Cummings
Kiley Pritchett’s family has owned a home on Beaver island for 53 years so she has been coming here for all of her almost 18 years.
But this will only be her 3rd year attending Beaver Island Community School.
After graduation she plans on becoming an aesthetician and a medical assistant in order to be qualified to also do Botox (I think I like her even more now haha!)
Kiley was a blast to work with, and her boyfriend of 2 years, Jared was very patient while waiting for Kiley to finish all her images. Thanks Jared!
I wish you all the best and thank you for letting me document one of the most important times of your life!
Much love,
Roxanne
You can find me where the sand meets the water
You can find me where the sand meets the water
The Wanty family has a long history of being in love with beach life since the great grandfather of little baby boy Hugh built a house on Beaver Island 80 years ago.
It is also where his parents, Cooper and Amanda got engaged.
What a beautiful family ...on a beautiful island...on a beautiful day.
Thank you for letting me share in just more wonderful memory of your times on Beaver Island. I will forever cherish it.
Love,
Roxanne
Who am I if I can't carry it all?
Who am I if I can't carry it all?
Raegan has a different hero every year. This year it is Luisa from Disney's movie Encanto.
Luisa is the "strong one" of the family whose strength can always be relied upon to carry the burdens of the Madrigal family.
I love that Raegan continues to grow in beauty, strength and character with her every trip around the sun.
What a joy and a gift to see a child grow into herself with each passing year.
I can't wait to see what her future years hold, what heroes she will admire, what strengths she will acquire, what truths she will learn, how much her beauty will grow along with her strong character.
Happy 6th Birthday Raegan. I look forward to documenting all the rest of your birth milestones, one glorious year at a time.
Love,
Roxanne
She cracks me up!
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Karmello's Aunt Shari calls Karmello an over-comer...and she would know as this is not her first time at this rodeo of raising boys...but Karmello is the last to leave her nest...a bittersweet milestone, to be sure.
Karmello could definitely be defined as ahead of the curve without a doubt, since though only in 10th grade, he is already graduating from East Lansing High School through an alternative track called Graduation Alliance. Wowwwwww! Color me impressed. You go Karmello!
Of course it is hard to go wrong when you are surrounded by the love and support of a large extended family like the one surrounding Karmello, of which some members I have been lucky enough to meet and photograph personally .
This family is rife with personality, humor, and family love so it is not surprising that blessings abound for Karmello and it truly shows in his optimistic attitude that holds up peace over chaos.
Besides going the extra mile scholastically, Karmello also ran track and long jump this year which should help him physically with his goal of being a firefighter like both his cousin and his mentor.
The world is your oyster Karmello, and like your Aunt Shari says...you are a cool guy with a hot future!
Best wishes that you continue to achieve every goal and life dream you have Karmello,
Much love, Roxanne
