December 2, 1989

Once upon a time, there was a girl who longed to meet the boy of her dreams. On her 23rd birthday, this girl would see him for the very first time. As she walked down the long aisle of the community center, their eyes met. They would exchange smiles and that would be that. So she thought. Instead, that would be the beginning of something wonderful.

This boy did what this girl had longed for the right someone to do. Pursue her. Despite the obstacles or roadblocks to keep after her. To pull out all the stops and find a way to get her name and number.Long before the ease of social media.  A few days later, this boy would call this girl for a date. They would begin a wonderful, whirlwind friendship that would quickly turn to love. They spent every moment they could talking and laughing and building something bigger than the both of them.

 Not long after this very first date, the boy would take this girl to a special place. Together they would share the fanciest meal this girl had every tasted. As they dined together and talked about their lives, this boy would get down on one knee in the middle of this fancy place. Everyone and everything else faded. No cameras to capture the proposal, but, forever burned in her heart.  This boy asked this girl to spend the rest of their lives together. She said yes and in three short months this girl would walk down another long aisle. This time, as he waited at the end of the aisle, he would take her hand and they would vow before God and all the people they knew, to love each other forever.

For better or worse and they'd had both. The best days they'd ever spent and some of the worst days they never dreamed. Fights and making up. Bad moods and unmet expectations. Date nights and memory making. Late nights and laughter. Excitement of dreams realized. The bad times fade in the distance and the good times shine brighter. Looking back and seeing how far they'd come and how much they'd grown by persevering. Better or worse. Both better, together.

Through rich and poor. They've been poor as they ate more dinners of spagetti and pancakes than steak and cheesecake. He never complained about scarce meals or empty cupboards. They'd reminisce about fancy restaurants and 'one of these days' but, all that really mattered was the two of them at a table every night - together. Starting something that would one day grow into something bigger than the both of them. Realizing all along the way that the richer or poorer they'd vowed to walk through had little to do with money and everything to do with things money could never buy anyway. 

In sickness and in health - plenty of both. Colds and stomach bugs. Pregnant bellies and bald heads. Scars and divine health.A fourteenth wedding anniversary spent sitting together while chemo ran through her body.  His hand held hers tight through it all.  Loving her without limits and every day thanking God for another day - together. 

Every day this girl gets to be his friend and wife is a good day,  because through it all, the good the bad, better or worse, sickness or health, rich or poor, they get to go through each day - together. Her fairy tale, happily ever after isn't something she just dreamed of as a little girl. It's something she gets to live out every single day. 

I'd say yes again and again! Celebrating what God joined together! He has been gracious to us! Can't wait to celebrate our next 26 years - together.

December 2, 1989 - forever