It was 19 years ago today (April 11, 1987 actually) that I became a married woman! Time has flown! Looking back I can see lots of good times and some bad times - but overall, it's been a wonderful journey.
It was in 1981 that I met my future husband. Our family had gone to a new church and I recognized this guy who also went to the same high school as I did. We got to know each other, became good friends, but I wasn't allowed to date until I was sixteen. I was fifteen at the time. So we did things with groups of friends - went out for coffee, played sports, went to various activities with our church's youth group. And sometimes, after school, we'd swim together in our school's pool. Sometimes we went to 'Burger King' for a drink and chat.
On August 4, 1982 I turned sixteen! Our first official date was on August 30th, at Canada's Wonderland, near Toronto - it was magical! He held my hand and asked if I'd go 'steady'. Of course I said 'yes' - I knew a good guy and this one was great! It was up there on one of the fake mountains that we made this agreement! And I've never looked back!
In October, 1985 he put a ring on my finger - we were engaged! And on April 11, 1987 we were married! Life was grand! And has been since.
Corny eh? But it has been. No it hasn't been perfect. I've been mad at him; he's been mad at me. We've 'let the sun go down upon our wrath'. We're not proud of that. But overall, we've had such a great ride! We've laughed instead of crying, but we've also cried. (I think we've done more laughing!) It's important to laugh in life isn't it? I tend to be overly serious. Dear husband can sloff things off - I have to analyze them to death. Both ways can be annoying. Both ways can be good. Balance - it's all about balance, right?!
I read this recently in Karen Kingsbury's book called A Thousand Tomorrows, and these are my sentiments today:
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres - Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13.)
If I have ten years with you, or a hundred, our time together would never be enough. With you, I'm something I've never been before. I'm whole because you complete me. My love for you means I'm no longer sure where I end and you begin. I promise you everything I am, everything I have, as many days as we share together. No matter what tomorrow brings, I will be here. I will stand by you and stay by you. I will be strong when you cannot be strong, and I will hold you up when you cannot stand. My love, my life, is yours.
Love is not measured in years or decades, but in smiles and dreams and shared bits of laughter, in quiet walks and tender embraces and late-night talks. I will stand by you in your dreams and stay by you in spirit. I will be strong in heart when you cannot be strong, and I will hold your hand when neither of us can stand. My love, my life, is yours.
I do believe that Andrew completes me. I believe that we were destined to be together for life. I thank the Lord for Him. What a blessing!
Our vows ended with "Henceforth you go down life's pathway together, and may the Father of all mercies, who of His grace has called you to this holy state of marriage, bind you together in true love and faithfulness and grant you His blessing." (CRC, Psalter Hymnal, 1976).
HERE'S TO MANY MORE WONDERFUL YEARS TOGETHER!
