10 Years ago today

It had been a long road up until that point.  We had been good friends for several years.  He was a friend of our family's.  He was part of a group of friends at work that hung out and socialized together.  He knew almost everything about me.  He knew that I had not always made the best decisions. He knew that my first marriage was difficult and unhealthy at points.  He knew that I loved my first husband and was crazy about my kids.  He knew that I had suffered the loss of my father as a teenager and suffered the loss of some friendships as a young adult and had also suffered the loss of my first husband after a difficult season in our marriage.  He saw me bury my husband with all the regrets and grief.  He saw me struggle to make ends meet and continue as a single mom with three kiddos under the age of 6.  He saw it all.  He remained steadfast and true as my friend and support.  He fell in love with my kids before he even thought of falling in love with me.  He made me laugh.  He let me scream.  He helped my family surround me with support as I struggled with what to do next.  He was one of my best friends.

Then the kiss.  Oh my.  It was shocking.  I kid you not. 

Several months after the loss of my first husband, my mom and sister conspired with him to get me out of town.  I ran off to CT with him to witness the christening of one of his best friends first son.  He was a true gentleman.  I stayed in the big house with this wonderful family that were strangers until I met them.  He stayed outside in a camper.  He was a barrel of laughter and fun the entire time.

Then the last day of the trip we kissed.  Spontaneously and awkward.  It didn't happen immediately, but later that evening he sat with me while I cried my eyes out.  You see, I knew.  I knew that this was the man that God had prepared for me.  I knew.  And I was scared.  I didn't want to be hurt again.  I didn't want to make the same mistakes again.  It was so soon. But he sat with me and he didn't move.  He didn't run.  He was a rock.  He didn't flinch when I hardly spoke to him the whole way home on the plane.

And you see… that is why we have remained married this long.

He is a rock.  He hasn't run.  He has loved me completely and faithfully for all these years.  He was patient when I asked him to wait a year before we got married.  He has remained the visionary for our family.  Planning for the future.  He adopted those three kiddos and vowed on his knees this day ten years ago to be their father and honor their father who is now in heaven.  He vowed to always be there, to provide for them, to play with them, to love them.  He has done that and so much more.

He's not perfect, but he is a rock.  He's annoyingly methodical and precise when it comes to finances.  But he is an amazing provider.  He's frustrating as all get out because he wakes up happy.  But he has always brought me coffee first thing in the morning.  He's unbelievably intelligent, but he never makes me feel as if I am not.  He grumbles like Grumpy, but he loves my family and will do anything for any of them.  He's made some of his own mistakes that aren't pretty, but he's the first to ask for forgiveness.  He's not as perfect as she would like to think, but he loves and takes care of his mom.  He let's me make my own decisions about my personal future but he also prays for me every day.  He is my best friend, my lover, my built in comedian, my woodworker, my nerd, my rock.  He continues to lead and direct our family to a closer relationship with God and never gives up.

Honestly, in the beginning after loosing my first husband to heart disease, I didn't think it would be this man that I would spend the rest of my life with.  But God knew better.  And I am SO grateful.  Every day I am grateful to be able to love this man.

Happy 10th Anniversary Honey!  I've never been married for 10 whole years before.  Thank you for being the one to take me to that place.  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for dreaming with me.  Thank you for loving our precious kids with me.  You are the most amazing man…thank you for enduring all we have together and for making our lives so wonderful. Here's to 50 more!

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