I often think back to the day when Chris and I got married...22+ years ago. He was 26 and I was 25 and little did we know about the COMMITMENT we were about to take on. I think to some degree, we both had a "pie in the sky" idea about marriage. We pictured ourselves skipping through a field of wildflowers while holding hands...and life was going to be peachy, grand, and easy. We didn't forsee any struggles in our future. Our new found love wouldn't allow it.
Well, though we have been very blessed to have such a good and strong marriage, we have certainly encountered some tough times along the way. The loss of Chris' job 8 1/2 months ago has been no exception. We have been fraught with stress, uncertainty, worry, sleepless nights, the whole gamut. Yes, we've been each other's biggest support and, often times, greatest annoyance. We're not used to spending every waking moment together...and it's been a quite an adjustment. However, truth be known, when I look at him, my heart still melts. Oh, I could run away if I really wanted to, but I don't. I could throw in the towel and say to him, "That's it, I'm done!", but I won't. I could tell him that I don't want to be a part of this, anymore, but I can't...and neither will he. Want to know why? Well, you see, I have made a COMMITMENT to Chris and he's made one to me that regardless of the obstacles life throws our way, we CAN and WILL get through through them....TOGETHER! I love this man with all my heart and soul...and thanks be to God...he loves me, too!
We take our marriage vows very seriously. When we pledged before God to love each other through thick and thin, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health...we meant every single word of it. Never has "bowing out" been an option...and it never will be. We plan to be happily married for the rest of our lives.
So, the point is that as long as we have each other to rely on and we continue to have FAITH, there is nothing that can tear us down or tear us apart. We plan to be able to share our love story with our grandchildren one day, hoping it will serve as a firm foundation on which to build their own. Growing old together...we wouldn't have it any other way.
God gave me you for the ups and downs,
God gave me you for the days of doubt,
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true...
God gave me you.
God gave me you for the days of doubt,
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true...
God gave me you.
~Blake Shelton~
23 visits from friends:
What a nice post! congratulations for having a long and happy marriage.
Love your outlook on marriage. So many others "bow out" so easily. marriage is definitely hard & you have to have that mind set that you're together no matter what.
Love he still makes your heart pitter patter... & I'm sure you do the same for him :)
Amen April. Too many couples opt out of marriage too fast. We've had tough times, but we take our commitment seriously too.
Very nice picture of you "newlyweds". Your rings are gorgeous!
I agree 100%. There is no better way to face marriage and life together except committed to each other and to God.
Very well said.
Beautiful post. Your commitment sound strong and I applaud you.
Blessing on you and your husband. You learned the secret of a good marriage early-commitment. Would that the current generation have that quality.
Your marriage sounds like a shining example of commitment. Long marriages are great, my dh and I celebrated 40 years together in November.
Happy anniversary, sweet April. I'm so glad that you have each other in the good times AND the bad. Especially in the bad; who wants to walk through desert places alone? May you have many, many more years of love,light, and joy...
so wonderful to hear of a strong loving marriage. they are few and far between it seems these days. you both are role models to all of us!
Great post, April. And what a great "testimony" for your girls.
:) Is it ok that I envy you? I have had 3 marriages, all complete failures and I have never felt what you feel. Partly my fault I am sure and I still hold out hope. I love that their are still couples out there who make it look possible for the rest of us.
What type of work does Chris do?
Yay for commitment! Your Hubby is lucky to have you and he, you!
beautiful post. marriage takes commitment to really work, anything of true lasting value requires a little work. it is nice to see marriages withstand the tests of time.
That was a very sweet post! And a beautiful photo!
So true. Scott and I are at 19 (20 in August!) I feel so lucky to share my life with him.
Such a precious post and such a wonderful example of marriage you are setting for the girls and everyone surrounding you.
I love that song, but I like the Dave Barnes version the best. So sweet!
Amen! That's how my husband and I have felt about our marriage. You know if you weren't 100% committed it just wouldn't work. Marriage is fun, frustrated, wonderful, and hard all at the same time.
Still hoping that Chris finds the right job. I just can't even imagine the stress involved with that.
Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us. I was forced into retirement in April last year due to an illness resulting from a road traffic accident 3 years ago. I understand what you mean about being together so much of the time. My wife and I actually planned time apart every day so that we might have our own space, this has helped make our time together better. I hope that you find work soon, and I'll hold you in my prayers. John
http://johncbuchanan.blogspot.com/
Hope there is lots of 'better' this year. What a wonderful example for your daughters to follow!
And it's wonderful you're setting such a good example for your daughters! Kudos to you!
AMEN and AMEN, again!!!! Proud of you, April! God bless you both.
What a beautiful post. I am so happy for both of you.
Congratulations on 22+ years of a (clearly) strong commitment to each other!
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