Eleven years ago. . .

Believe it or not, the weather was worse than today. And, for some crazy reason (having something to do with love and passion), Glen and I decided to get married on this day. By the time the reception was over and we got back to our new place, he carried me to the door through over a foot of snow.

Eleven years later, our family has grown. God has blessed us with three beautiful children. Our marriage has also grown. As everyone does, we entered into this covenant with expectations, and some of them were not met. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man [spouse] sharpens another.” It is not always easy to live happily with another person. But was harder for me when I was proactively sharpening rather than submitting to being sharpened.

Some of the lessons that God has taught me through my husband...

1. A relationship involves two people relating to each other. It does not consist of one person being catered to by the other.

2. I am (gulp) not perfect (far from it, actually…).

3. If God is not at the center of my motivation, then it will digress into manipulation.

4. Love is patient, kind, and willing to sacrifice much for peace.

5. My tongue is either a kind encourager that glorifies God, or a horrible weapon that glorifies Satan. I cannot complain to (or about) my husband and expect that to inspire him to greatness.

6. I am responsible only for my own thoughts, actions, words and deeds. I cannot control or change someone else, no matter how hard I try.

7. Nothing is impossible with God.

I ordered a new wedding band for Glen to replace the one that he lost two years ago. The company graciously decided to ship it via overnight Saturday delivery for free, so it would arrive by today. I thought it fitting that he get his new ring on the same day he got his original one. It feels like a fresh start for us, and I’m excited at what God will do (should He tarry) over the next eleven years.

Happy Anniversary, Glen. I love you.