Wednesday, October 24, 2012

14 years and counting...

October 24, 1998
14 years ago, two very young people stood in front of their family and friends and declared their love for each other.

It is still amazing to me how God directed our paths to each other. We met in Mexico on a missions trip. I never tire of our story--how God took two unlikely people and knit them together.

I am a horrible romantic and the depth of feeling I have today is hard to describe. Thankful. Grateful. Amazed. Deeply In Love. Joyful.

I have tried to write three versions of this post. I simply can't find the words. They fall short, they're trite, they're too easy.

Marriage isn't easy--we've both had to learn a bunch. How to hear the other's heart. How to say no to ourselves and yes to the other. How to speak with honesty, compassion, and acceptance. How to fight fair. How to let go of cultural norms and cling to how God has crafted us and our marriage. How to ask hard questions and make harder decisions. How to follow God's voice in a noisy world. How to grow, both as individuals and as a couple. How to fight for us in the midst of life's distractions.

There have been trials--my health, stresses from workplaces, job changes, raising kids.

But there is so much joy and laughter. There is nothing more lovely than sitting on the couch at the end of a long day, sharing some wine and our days. Watching our children be goofy and lovable and kids. Knowing that they are feeding off the love we show each other. Stolen moments. Unexpected adventures.

I have been more than blessed to be married to a man who loves me as much as I love him. He's compassionate, kind, ever-learning, creative, and giving. He works hard so I can stay home with our kids. I think he gets more and more handsome as the year pass. I can't believe that I am so lucky (although I know that luck has nothing to do with it!)

Part of our wedding was that we had to choose a passage for a sermon. Ours came from Song of Solomon (8:6-7). And looking back, I realize it was a beautiful choice for us to declare our love for each other to the world.
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.




This is my beloved. This is my friend.
Song of Songs 5:16


Eric, I can't wait for the next years of our journey.

I love you.
S


3 comments:

Everyday Mom said...

Beautiful post. Congratulations on 14 years!! Wow--time flies when you're having fun!

Unknown said...

Please don't think it's all Eric.

You! You are the most perfect woman for Eric.

You have been knitted together by the hands of God himself. Without your unfailing faith in God and secondly without your unfailing faith in your husband your union wouldn't be as blessed as it is today.

Eric is successful because he knows that he has Gods love and secondly that he has your love Sammy.

I am so happy that you found each other on that mission trip. In a way, you two are still on a mission trip. You are still teaching and learning together under Gods guiding hand.

I thank God for such a capable companion for my youngest cousin. This mission of life is much more tolerable for 2 who are on the same path. Congrats on celebrating your Anniversary today.

I love you both!

Manda said...

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it!