Some days are ordinary, some day are extraordinary but there are some days that are simply unforgettable. Today is in celebration of one of those days. Today Twenty-Three years ago, we entered into a new chapter of our lives. Many had their doubts that we would make it through the first few years, after all we only knew each other for three months before we were engaged. However, it took a year of planning before we did marry. There have been rough times and there have been glorious times, but so far we have proved those doubters wrong. We have beat the odds by celebrating another year. Getting married was the easy part, connecting and growing in our relationship has been something that we have to work at daily. Looking back through the years, I have discovered how much I have grown. Yes, he has also but I have seen how the grace of God has been poured over our marriage.
My Side of Our Story
Once upon a time, a very young and naive lady was escorted down the aisle by her father to be joined in marriage with her handsome groom. They were madly in love and ready to conquer their new world together. Soon after the honeymoon, reality set in and the hard work began. She wasn’t the easiest person to live with. She knew nothing about finances and after the first financial mishap she was sure they would divorce soon. Grace was given and they worked through it. She brought into the marriage expectations that left her many times alone and crying. There were times that her hard-headed ways damaged their relationship. But year after year she continued to grow up just a bit more lessening her expectations in their marriage but not relying on her God. She had walked away from the church and only did an occasional Bible study through those years. She accepted salvation as a child and didn’t see the need to go to church if her husband didn’t want to go with her. Ten years into their marriage their first-born arrived. Another chapter to their life begun. They were parents before however, they were his children and they lived with their mother many miles away. She felt the need to bring their son up in church as she was brought up…so her faith journey was now entering a new chapter as well. Through the past thirteen years, they still have struggles from time to time but this time when they go through a rough patch she turns toward God. Most of the time the lessons she learns is that a change needs to be made in her heart and attitude. Until their story has been completed, may they live happily ever after.
Today’s celebration has been one of those times when I have needed to change my heart and my attitude. I have been walking around for the past two weeks feeling unloved and unappreciated. Asking myself, wasn’t I worth putting a little effort into? How could he have said that, after all the “stuff” that has been going on with me? When the truth of the matter is; it’s not just my day, it is our day. Yes, he did put an effort into me after all he did drive to a store, picked out a card, purchased it, signed it and gave it to me. Just as I did for him. The view from my heart was being selfish and all about me. When it comes to marriage it takes two, there are two in this marriage so there are two in this celebration.
May God bless us with many, many more!!!
In His Love,
Crisi
Congrats on 23 years!! I found it interesting that our stories have some similarities. We were also engaged quickly (after 6 months), although it was another 9 months before we got married. I also was living with a faith that was in autopilot until my son was born. It kicked back into high gear when I realized I needed to be living my faith if I wanted to be able to share it with him. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you, Jen. Over the past few months of reading your blog, I have felt a connection between us. Must be a God thing 🙂 Have a great week!