As Shalon and I approach a decade of marriage, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve taken together—our triumphs, our challenges, and everything in between. It’s incredible how quickly time passes, and yet, it feels like just yesterday that we were standing on that beautiful beach in Orange Beach, Alabama, surrounded by our closest friends and family, ready to commit ourselves to one another.
Our Wedding Day: A Moment to Remember
One of my most vivid memories from our wedding day (September 5, 2014) is standing on that beach, watching Shalon make her way down the boardwalk. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, and as I stood there with my father and groomsmen by my side, I couldn’t help but get emotional. In that moment, I wasn’t just thinking about how beautiful she looked; I was also reflecting on the journey we had taken to get to that point. Our paths had diverged and re-converged, and there we were, ready to commit ourselves not just to each other, but to the life we had co-created with our son, McRae.
Our wedding day was a true reflection of who we are as a couple. We both love the beach, and we love our friends and family. That’s why it meant so much to us that our ceremony and reception were completely planned and coordinated by our community. From our day of coordinator and all-around creative, Dr. Stanitia Davis, to our photographers, Lars Johnson and Jonette Shamburger, to the food prepared by my mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law and chapter brothers, every detail was touched by the hands of those who love us most.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
As a preacher's kid/drummer turned DJ, music has always played a significant role in my life, and our wedding was no different. Our first dance was to "Best of Me" by Tyrese—a song that has taken on even more meaning over the past decade. The lyrics speak to how Shalon brings out the best in me, and I can honestly say that she does. Looking back, I understand now why that song resonated with me so deeply then, and it still does today.
Music continues to be a building block in our life together. Whether we're hosting a family cookout or simply enjoying a chill evening at home, there’s music playing in the background during the best moments of our life. Shalon is always listening to the latest tracks the radio, while I still find myself gravitating toward my favorites—OutKast, Big KRIT, A Tribe Called Quest and old Kanye (lol), to name a few.
Growing Together
Over the past ten years, we’ve both grown individually and as a couple. Shalon has become an even better communicator and teacher, while I’ve honed my ability to express love and affection—not just to her, but to our two boys, McRae and Jaxon. We’ve faced our share of challenges, the biggest being Jaxon’s congenital heart defect, which required open-heart surgery within the first week of his life. That experience tested us in ways we never imagined, but it also brought us closer together.
Our relationship has evolved in ways that continue to surprise me. We’ve learned to laugh and enjoy each other’s company, whether we’re hanging out with friends or simply spending time together at home. I’ve slowed down a bit—I don’t hang "owt" as much as I used to—but Shalon enjoys going out to eat with her friends more now than she did in our early years. We spend our time at the ball field cheering for our favorite student athletes. We’ve found a balance that works for us, and that’s one of the things I’m most proud of.
Advice for Future Couples
If I could offer one piece of advice to couples just starting their journey, it would be to make time for each other—no matter how busy life gets. Even if it’s just ten minutes a day, that time is invaluable. And if you can, plan an international trip together at least once a year. Our family vacations have created some of our most cherished memories.
Looking back, there’s not much I would change about our wedding day, except perhaps adding a memorial area at the ceremony or reception to honor our deceased loved ones, like my mother (Jannie "Jan" Burrell Patterson), and grandmothers (Queen Ludgood Burrell and Viola Gamble Donaldson). But beyond that, our day was perfect because it was a true reflection of who we are and the love we share.
A Decade of Marriage and Beyond
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re looking forward to traveling to New Orleans—a city that holds a special place in our hearts. We’re planning to explore new places to eat and maybe even embark on a fun excursion. But more than that, we’re excited about the future we’re building together. We have blueprints for our future home, and we’re envisioning the lives that we and our boys will lead.
In the next decade, I’m looking forward to more travel, more growth, and more love. I can’t wait to sit on our back porch, sipping coffee and watching the sunset over the lake, knowing that we’ve built this life together.
Here’s to the next ten years, and to all the love, laughter, and music that will fill them.
George Chuck and Shalon's Wedding Day Playlist
Comments