I am thrilled that today is our anniversary. Its so fun to look back at all we have done over the years. I sort of feel like my gage on time is somewhat off, maybe it has to do with the fact that we've had 4 kids in 4 years... I don't know... it just doesn't seem like 8 years is not long at all! I love where God has taken us... looking back and seeing his hand over our marriage and lives, its amazing to see the Love of God in such a personal way.
So
8 years ago we were waking up this morning and prepping for the big day. I had 11 girls standing by side that day. Slightly excessive but I LOVE relationship and that was me at 21... so I wouldn't change that day... although if I were getting married today I would probably have about 3 people standing with me... not because I don't love those friends to pieces but because I'm older and that means the relationships I do have are less but deeper.
We got ready at the church. Riverside, a big building ornate and beautiful and special to us. We did get together before the ceremony, took a few moments to pray and be alone together, then we went out and took pictures. Fun moments... but when I look at those photos and remember my emotions I think about how how nervous and giddy we both were! So fun to remember... we were such kids!
then
7 years ago... we were in Orlando Florida at a worship conference with MC USA... we got our own room at this hotel and had a good night! Slightly unmemorable because we were immersed as conference volunteers.
6 years ago... we were back In Peoria, hoping God would open the doors to take us to Atlanta, GA to work with Metropolitan Church of God... I can't remember the actual day but I do know we were in Peoria. I was a nervous wreck quite often that year. (thank goodness God can change our heart.)
5 years ago... We were in Atlanta, and after being there a year things at the church were getting unstable... so around our anniversary we moved in with this incredible family (the Thompson family). They were so integral in our mentoring. They lived lives that honored God and knew his word, they were a vision of what we wanted our family and marriage to be like. I thank God for that season all the time!
4 years ago... we went to Johnny's Italian steak house. I was slightly two-timing JR... because I was madly in love with our new amazing baby boy... after praying for him for over 2 years... he was with us.... & we were back in Peoria, IL.
3 years ago... I was walking through a miscarriage that I had taken very hard. It had been 2 mths since the loss. We went to Vegas with some family and it was supposed to be for our 5 year anniversary... it was nice to get away together but I missed our little man & still had some serious emotions to deal with.
2 years ago... oh how the Lord is good... I was expecting the twins. Again... not sure about the exact day... I was huge and perpetually tired. & that's what leads us up to last year.
1 year ago... we decided why wait for a big year to do something memorable? We decided last year, with 3 kids 3 and under and me expecting our big surprise... little miss betsy... & JR working a dead end job... lets change the standard of what our anniversary means to us... We renewed our vows. On our deck with a few close friends & family. We opened up our hearts and committed to each other for what our hope 7 and forever would be. Marriage is so important to us and we want our children to have a huge expectation of what to hope for. To want to wait for God's best... and they will only want that by what they see lived.
Last year was memorable. We plan on doing this each year. Some years may be in front of many, & some in front of a few, but today it will be just us. We will take time to not just talk about the day 8 years ago... but we will look each other in the eyes and commit our hearts again. With words... they according to scripture, have the power of life.
We will breath life into our sacred covenant that God has blessed. Happy anniversary honey. I love you.
