Anniversary!!

I so clearly remember being newlywed - a coupla years, or so, into our marriage (that's still newlywed in my opinion.....;) - and looking with awe on couples that had been married about, say, 17 years. I could take the 25 plus years married in stride.......they were, well, old. But the couples that were married 17 years weren't old yet, but still had been married a VERY LONG time! It's amazing, though, how reaching this milestone ourselves makes us look at it in a completely different light. Instead of 17 years feeling long, it feels like a winding, well travelled pathway. Instead of our relationship feeling old, it feels mature. Instead of our friendship growing boring with time, it's gotten so very comfortable. Instead of love disappearing, it's just taken on a different shine - not a brand-spanking new shine, but a polished shine. We're very different people than we were 17 years ago. We're parents and our expereince as such has shaped us. That's why a celebratory blog post just didn't seem right without pics of the kids. Much of the last 17 years has been spent getting to know each other in our developing roles as mom and dad. We've learned the ropes of parenting together (though we still often find ourselves stumped :). We've also learned to be "Pastor and wife" together (still learning....). Together we've travelled, we've vacationed, we've moved, we've made new friends, laughed, cried, prayed, trusted, talked, sat silent.

Now here at this mark in our journey, we can say that by God's grace we've stood together - still in love, still working alongside each other, still learning. Though the dating years were very exciting, I would never want to go back. I feel completely secure in my husband of 17 years and thank the Lord for bringing us together all those years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Rich :)