“yes” for a lifetime

  To celebrate any anniversary is truly a celebration in and of itself in our day and age. People say when you marry young, you won’t have a chance at surviving the first few years. Well, I whole heartily disagree with such a statement. My husband and I married at 19 and 20. 10 years ago today, we said “yes” for a lifetime to each other.

Photography by my sister Carissa.

You’ve heard the line “Good things come to those who wait.” It’s very true and very biblical.  Romans 2:7-8

I waited for my husband. I didn’t know him, but I was praying for him! And while I wasn’t looking, the Lord “plopped” him right down into the middle of my life.

But, what happened after marriage? How did we “survive” 10 years in this day in age?

Over these 10 years we learned quickly that we both are far from perfect! We in fact are VERY human indeed. We’ve chosen to see an imperfect person very perfectly.

“Love isn’t finding a perfect person. It’s seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” — Sam Keen

We’ve also learned that good things will come to those who not only wait, but WORK HARD at it!
Marriage isn’t for wimps or the faint at heart.

Over the last 10 years our marriage has been full of life-changing adventures! Everything from moves, building a home, church ministry changes, parenting, homeschooling, unemployment, pregnancies, miscarriages, job changes, financial blunders, hard life moments, home business ventures, scary moments, several health challenges, one of them being our daughter’s sight, and through the ins and outs the ups and downs our life as a married couple has been full of abundant blessings!

“Marriage is not just a “happily ever after” ending…but a lifetime of “I choose to love you” beginnings.” — Matt Anderson

 

My husband and I have chosen to stick with it, to endure no matter how hard times can get. We’ve chosen to say “yes” for a lifetime. We’ve committed to grow old together. And whatever life brings our way… we’ve made a life long commitment, and we don’t take our marriage lightly.

From the beginning of it all: friendship, courtship and marriage, God has been the center.  God has been our strength, our redeemer, our protector and healer. He’s given us grace, and comfort.  In each trial He has shown us blessing after blessing, because we’ve chosen to follow His way and not our own. 

Would I do it all over again?

Without any hesitation, I boldly stand up and shout

YES!!

I would marry my husband over and over and over again.  I love him today more than I ever have.

 

 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”  Ephesians 3:20

Source: theamateurwriter.com

 

Honey,

These past 10 years we’ve experienced so many moments – from the upsides & downsides of life. It’s impossible to fit it all into a blog post. You will have to forgive me for not eloquently writing what the last ten years have been like being married to you. My choice of words cannot do it justice. We’ve had MANY beautiful moments from the Lord. I’m ready to discover how challenging and how breathtaking our next 10 years will be. I’m ready to enjoy together more wonderful and not so wonderful adventurous days ahead!

So thankful, God gave me you! Happy 10th Anniversary, honey. {best friend and love of my life!}

I ♥ you, Shane.

YAMMS. TVB.

A reminder of just some of the reasons why I love you. ;0)