we were both 16 when we met
highschool sweethearts
He was
funny, out-going, fun-lovin', full-of-highschool spirit.
I was
the bookworm, way-too-serious, shy girl.
opposites, you might say.
we came from broken homes
but
we were full
of love
and
full of dreams
simple dreams to
fill our (old) home with lotsa babies
and
lotsa love
love for each other and love for our God
The first 15 years were our adventure years.
we had those babies (5)
we lived in those old houses (4 of them)
we began the adventure of homeschooling
we played football in the yard
we began a family-based business to teach our children to work
(we bought, renovated and re-sold more old houses together)
we had chickens, bicycles, gardens, cookstoves
we built a new house to look like an old house...
Those were happy times:
I had my squared paper...always planning
and he had his hammer...building.
Our dreams came true.
we served together, we played together, we laughed together
and
we loved together.
It was an easy, fun life with wonderful memories.
The second half has been our hard years.
we have had difficult times
our marriage has been tested
there has been much grief.
his. mine. and ours.
If you have ever lived with someone
while they grieve
you will know what I am talking about.
the times when you wonder
Where is that man (woman) I married
and
will he (she) ever come back?
These have been the years when the words
for better, for worse
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
when the I do's
were not just words anymore
but
choices.
I am a simple girl.
I cling to simple promises and simple commands:
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
my simple-er paraphrase:
Love never quits.
You do not know how much I have relied on this.
Grace has been given.
Love has been sustained.
I am sharing all of this
because maybe there is someone out there reading
that wants to quit.
Do. Not. Quit.
Let God be your strength, your grace, your love.
You know, the first 15 were fun
but
these last years?
These are the years that really mean something.
Are we (is he) healed?
Not yet.
But we're (he's) getting there
and
God is faithful.
I love my guy
and
he loves me.
We promised each other and we promised God:
until death do us part
Today
I celebrate 31 years of
fun and struggle
joy and pain
laughter, tears, and madder words.
I celebrate a love that does not quit.
photos from the *barn shoot*...
jamiehudsonphoto.com
