A Moment of Truth:

At some point in early October, I lost a client, and it broke my heart.

Or rather, it broke a lot of hearts as they not only canceled my appointment, but their entire relationship. After nearly a decade, a couple has split and gone their separate ways. I spent a lot of time blaming myself and over-analyzing our meeting. I think I said too much. I think I pushed her too hard. I think I overwhelmed them. I have ended someone else's fairy tale. The night was rushed and chaotic with my family here and their best friend. There was a lot of excess input. It was not the most professional sit-down. I won't do it again.

But the harsh reality is, that if the relationship couldn't survive a planning meeting, a relationship couldn't survive a marriage. Perhaps this was a light in the dark.

As much as the truth hurts, it really kept me thinking. My husband and I recently celebrated 10 years of marriage and 16 years together as a couple. I tend to get a bit cynical when it comes to ending relationships as I come from divorce, I lost two sister-in-laws last year to divorce, and a very close couple to me is on the brink. What do I have to offer? The honest statement that marriage is not always fun and that it is more work than anything else that you will ever do in life. Many local planners are not even engaged, and though this is certainly not a requirement, I do believe this form of background knowledge is critical. What advice would they give in this situation? I kept going back to my chapters on relationship consulting and texts from my certification program. I continued to stay in touch with the former groom and I will forever. He'll get through this, and perhaps we'll plan an even better event in the future.

Perhaps they will get back together, or perhaps not, but in either respect they will be stronger individuals knowing now what is required of a commitment. I will continue to share all of my advice and resources on strengthening and respecting everyone in the relationship, just as I will continue to do so in my own home.

It's all fun and games until someone puts a ring on it, but that doesn't mean it can't still be fun afterward.

-Meagan