18 Years of Marriage.
I’m still running around like crazy trying to plan for our first overseas trip.
BUT…
I wanted to pause for a moment.
To pause and acknowledge the man who has stood faithfully by my side for the past 18 years of marriage. To be thankful that he is with me on the journey of raising teenagers.
To stop and smile because he still has my heart.
Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. -Ruth 1:16
When we stood before our pastor, our friends, our family, and our God and declared our vows 18 years ago, we had no idea what was in store for our future.
We didn’t know that we would have three children.
Or that there would be two boys and one girl.
We didn’t know that we would move from our first home in Naples, Florida.
First to a new city in the center of the state, and then to another city on the opposite coast.
Or that we would then cross many state lines and settle down for this season of life in Roanoke, Virginia.
We didn’t know that we would experience heartaches, sicknesses, and deaths.
We didn’t know there would be moments that would test our commitment to each other when life became hard. Those moments when it would be easier to walk away. Those moments when you don’t agree on how life should be done.
But it’s there in those vows.
…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.
Marriage is a commitment.
Each person growing and changing.
It takes a choice. Both people have to make that same choice. The choice to stand firm in the words that you spoke.
To find harmony in the ebbs and flows of life.
To love greatly and deeply.
My husband has stood faithfully by my side through my edges of depression, through my moments of anxiety.
He has been my encourager when self-doubt begins to creep in and I begin to tell myself that I am not enough.
He reads my words.
He looks at my photos.
He believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself.
He helps me feel a sense of security when he wraps his arms around me or when he calls me “sweet love”.
He knows me.
He sees me.
And he chooses to love me.
This is not to say that he is perfect, but this is the place where I share who I am, not everything about those who choose to be a part of my life.
He puts his family at the head of the line.
I don’t know if our children see that now.
Teenagers are fickle beasts.
But someday they will know how deeply he loved them and how he has made sacrifices to give them all of the opportunities within his ability to offer.
He has been my partner, my helpmate, my lover, and my friend.
I can’t imagine doing life with anyone else.
So I close this moment of pausing in gratitude for the man who brings spontaneity, laughter, and joy into my life, by sharing this song:
Happy 18th Anniversary to the man who makes me smile at least once a day.
I hope that you all find some smiles in your day!
Offer some of your smiles to those you pass.
You never know what kind of difference you may make.
Let your light shine!
Amy
Congrats and many more years together 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Congratulations Amy. As you said, it’s not always easy … and sometimes it’s outright HARD! … but you know in your heart when it’s right <3
Best wishes for many more!
Thank you Joanne! And yes, I do think that you know when it’s right and worth the effort that it takes to nurture a relationship.
Oh it really is such a happy time in your life! I appreciate you sharing these warm and poignant sentiments. Congratulations on how that leap of faith and deep sense of commitment has served you and yours. <3
Thank you Joey! 🙂 It’s a busy, but happy time. <3
Hearty congratulations !!
And best wishes for many more!👌
Thank you very much! 🙂
My pleasure!✌
Congratulations. This is such a lovely post <3
Thank you so much! 🙂
Beautiful! and congratulations! So happy for you both!!! oh, and 18 years…. that’s a good start!
Congratulations and God bless.
Thank you! 🙂
Congratulations!
Thank you! 🙂
All best wishes!
Thank you! 🙂
Happy Anniversary! This post is so heartfelt and loving… May you be blessed abundantly for the next 18 years and beyond! ❤️
Thank you and thank you for your kind wishes! 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Awe, that’s very sweet. Congratulations.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Such a beautiful post! Wishing you many more of happiness to come xx
Thank you so much! 🙂
Happy Anniversary!! I wish you many, many more years together.
Thank you so much Deborah! 😊
This is inspirational. Gongatulations!
Thank you! 😊
Beautiful and sweet post. Congratulations! Wishing you happiness for many many years.
Thank you so much! 😊
Congratulations
So beautifully written and congrats on 18 years of togetherness. I loved everything about this post, but as a divorce statistic these words stuck with me the most: “It takes a choice. Both people have to make that same choice. The choice to stand firm in the words that you spoke.” If two people are making different choices consistently, then there’s probably no way they are going to make it to 18 years! Thanks for sharing and here’s wising you another 18 years of togetherness aka you guys are my rock stars 🙂
Thank you so much.
It’s definitely not easy and surely requires both people 😊. I’m glad that you enjoyed my post and thank you again for your kind words!
It will be 46 years this June for my wife and I. The time has gone by so fast it seems like yesterday I was standing with her and exchanging our vows. We met in high school so I can honestly say we grew up together.
Congratulations on many wonderful years and blessings and wishes for many more! 🙂
This is beautiful!
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations! Wishing you continued blessings!
Thank you so much! 😊
Beautiful tribute to your marriage!
Thank you. 🙂