Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Window of Time



Max Lucado said the following about marriage, speaking of his parents married over 40 years when his dad went home to the Lord...

"What they had was a forever marriage - a marriage in which two people, eyeball to eyeball, say I’m going to love you when I don’t feel like loving you. I’m going to love you when you’re sick. When we have money and when we don’t. I’m going to love you forever.
Marriage demands the greatest level of tenacity and talent and tenderness that any human being can summon."


I don't know about you, but that is the marriage I want...it is the marriage I vowed to live. Forever.

Eight years ago, today, I said "I do!" to my sweet husband. And he said the same to me. I love this picture of my nieces and I, as we waited in the bridal room for our guests to arrive. If I could have taken a peek into our future, just as I glanced out this window, I would have been surprised at some of the things we would face as we began our married life.

These eight years have had their share of difficult circumstances, but overriding all of that has been a tremendous amount of joy. We have weathered financial strain, joblessness, death, construction, accidents, family turmoil and illness. In fact, the summer we were married, I removed myself from an annual mission trip to tend to some serious concerns with my Chrohn's disease. As I recall, it was my soon-to-be husband who took on that storm and never once left my side. Several of our grown-up youth recently reminded me of this. Why was it so important to them? They told us with weepy eyes that it set the standard for expectations in suitors for themselves.

In these eight years, we began sharing a home, a life...we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, blessed again with a little beauty from China, added a roomy addition to the home Rob built, made new friends, restored ties with old friends, honored one another, and our children and are seeking so much more. We have learned about communication and cooperation. We have learned about disappointment and navigating the curveballs thrown our way with grace and dignity. We have learned about resting and renewing. We have learned acceptance, in it's truest form, and the meaning of unconditional love. All that to say, we don't always do it right ;) but we are striving for it every single day.

So, as I peek out the window to see what is out there for us now, I see so many more years in this life that we love. I see us better, smarter, stronger, definitely older but hopefully wiser, more faithful and prayerfully more in love than ever.

Happy Anniversary, honey. I love you!

16 comments:

DiJo said...

Happy Anniversary Heather!
What a beautiful testimony to your life with Rob!!!

Blessings,
Diana

Kelley said...

Happy, happy anniversary! What a wonderful post!!!

Kate said...

Always a pleasure to read your writing...so wise and beautiful!!

Happy Anniversary to you and Rob!!! (Jim and I celebrated 8 years in June!!) Once you have weathered those tough times...it just makes the good times even sweeter, right??

Best wishes!!

Jboo said...

Heather -- what a sweet post! Happy anniversary to you and your husband!

Janet

Gail said...

Happy Anniversary! You so eloquently wrote about the last 8 years...what a beautiful post Heather! Congrats and here's to many more years together.


(Dan and I will celebrating our 20th in November...where does the time go?) :)

Rachel said...

Happy Anniversary! Beautiful post!!

Shelly and Family said...

Happy Anniversary & truly what a beautiful post...

LaLa said...

Happy Anniversary...what a sweet post : )

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh Heather...you said the most beautiful words...Happy Anniversary...it is amazing how God puts us together. I am thankful you both were listening.

MacMui Mom said...

A very happy anniversary to a wonderful couple! May the future keep getting brighter and more beautiful.

Jodee Leader said...

Happy Anniversary! I love this picture!

Michelle R Photography said...

Happy Belated Anniversary, Heather!!! You always choose your words so carefully and your posts are so eloquently written. Could you please ghost write on my blog?

Hugs,
Michelle

p.s. Did you get my FB message?

3 Peanuts said...

Happy Belated Anniversary! This is a beautiful post for a beautiful marriage!!!

Unknown said...

Happy Belated Anniversary Heather!

Amen! What a beautiful testimony of His faithfulness and love when we abide in His calling for marriage - until death do us part! Two shall become one!

Love and hugs - wishing you many years of joy as the seasons change outside of your window!
Jill

Jennifer said...

I hope you had a wonderful anniversary. What a beautiful post.

Jen

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