Lovely

This is going to be a busy weekend. Lovely, but busy. We have so much we want to get done around the house and the yard in between a bunch of big events going on as well.

Not only do I have a major concert (Brahms, baby! And it is gonna be GOOD) to sing for tomorrow night (and dress rehearsal tonight) but it is also Mother's Day on Sunday (obviously) and also Todd and my 12th anniversary.  Twelve years on the twelfth.  That makes it a golden anniversary or something, doesn't it?  Not that we have anything really special planned since we are kinda busy already, but that's okay.

It reminds me of a conversation Todd had with his father many years back.  Todd's parent's anniversary was approaching and Todd asked his dad if they were going to renew their vows to celebrate.  Todd's dad looked at him and said, "Son, I renew my vows to your mother every morning when I get out of bed.  Each day I renew my vows.  I don't need a special ceremony to do that."

That stuck with me.  And I think Todd and I both try to live that way too.

So, while I could be posting a lovely anniversary story on Sunday (maybe like this one or this one), or telling you again about how wonderful my husband is (like I did here), or even letting you in on The Story of Us, I will instead be celebrating the wonderful mothers we are fortunate to have.  And I feel blessed to be able to do so.

If you want to get a jump start on Mother's Day weekend please go to Elaine's blog and read her beautiful post.  It is such a gorgeous tribute to mothers and I am honored she allowed me to be a part of it.  Thanks, Elaine!  And well done!

Good music, celebrating mothers, celebrating love.  It is going to be a lovely weekend.  I hope you all have a perfectly lovely Mother's Day weekend as well!




Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Loving

Today Todd and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary.  As we opened each other's cards Todd said, "Oh wait.  Are you opening the right one?  Wait... what?  How is that possible?  Did you...  Are you kidding me?" 

Out of the hundreds of anniversary cards to choose from Todd and I picked the same exact one to give to each other.  And to add to the craziness of it, I was standing in the store tearing up over this beautiful card thinking, "I would love to get this card from Todd.  Wouldn't that be funny if we both picked the same card?  Like that could ever happen." 

Just another sign to be that we are meant to be. 

Cameron Diaz in all of her infinite wisdom and boundless maturity has recently declared marriage a dying institution. "I think we have to make our own rules," she explains. "I don't think we should live our lives in relationships based off old traditions that don't suit our world any longer." she says in Maxim's June issue.

I'm so glad I know that isn't true.  I'm so lucky that I've found a man that knows that isn't true.  I know firsthand (and secondhand through my parents) what a beautiful covenant marriage is.  I know how it enriches your life if you nurture it and tend to it and value it. 

It is an amazing feeling knowing that I have this incredible person who has always got my back.  This wonderful man chose me to spend the rest of his life with.  He knows me totally and completely and he likes me (Loves me even!) anyway.

Sharing a life together changes you.  His stories have become my stories, and mine his.  Our life together becomes our history.  I love it.

I love my marriage.  I love our life together.  And I love my husband.   

Love you, babe.  Always.

Our Life

There was a time when we had albums full photos of us holding hands, snuggling, cuddling, and posing together. Now finding a picture with both of us in it at the same time is a rare commodity.

There was a time when we would pack our bags and jump on a plane for a last minute trip to anywhere. Now our idea of alone time is ordering Chinese food after the kids go to bed and watching "Survivor" together.

There was a time when "going out to dinner" meant fancy clothes and even fancier food. Now it means insuring highchairs and kids' menus are available.

There was a time when our biggest worry was what movie to see together. Now our worries are scary and serious. Health, mortgage, children, family, bills.

Life has changed. It looks so much different than it used to. So much better than I could have ever dreamed. Craziness and all.

This past year has challenged us. I'm pretty sure that it will go down in our family history as one of the craziest years EVER. And we made it through. We made it through building a house, selling a house, two mothers with cancer, two fathers with Alzheimer's, friends and family divorces, major stress at work, dad's passing, Gracie's birth, and moving. I know that years down the road we will look back on this past year and wonder how on earth we made it. And I know the answer will be, TOGETHER. I truly believe that together we can make it through anything. Laughing through the craziness, praying through the worries, and clinging to each other through it all.
Tonight as we "celebrate" our 9th anniversary sitting on hard metal chairs in the school auditorium and watching our boys in their spring concert I will be thanking God for bringing you into my life. I am so honored to have you as my husband. So glad that I get to have you by my side for the rest of this wonderful life. I love you.
Happy Anniversary, Todd!
(If you are interested, our "How we met" story is here. It's a good one, if I do say so myself.)

Golden

I'm sure this is not what you imagined when you pictured your golden anniversary. Maybe you saw a big party with all of your closest friends and family. Maybe you thought of a wonderful, relaxing trip that you'd always dreamed of taking. Or maybe a romantic dinner for just the two of you.

Certainly you didn't imagine this. Your 50th wedding anniversary going by without so much of a card exchanged. You having to explain that the flowers he can't focus on were brought by his daughter he may not remember because it is your anniversary. He can not tell you he loves you on your anniversary, though maybe tomorrow he might be able to.

But he still lights up when you walk in the room. Though his mind might not always know who you are his heart certainly does. You can see it in his smile. You are still his world. And though he may not be able to form the words you want to hear we all know he is thinking them. He loves you best of all. And the words you have told me before still ring true, "No one could ever love me like he loves me." Yes, he still loves you like that.

I know that if he could Daddy would be smothering you with hugs and kisses. Dancing with you in the living room. Taking long walks with you through the woods. Packing up the car for another adventurous trip to anywhere. Buying you sentimental cards and boxes of chocolates. Singing you love songs. Making this day special for you the way he made everyday special.

And this anniversary is still special. It is not just fifty years that you put up with each other. It is fifty years you cherished each other. Respected each other. Stood by each other. Loved each other. Held each other up. Your marriage strengthened you and helped you through the death of a child, the passing of your parents, and the struggles of everyday life. Your marriage transcends Alzheimer's and cancer. And your marriage is more of a testiment to the sacrament of marriage than any other I've ever known. Your marriage has been appointed by God. Your marriage is an example to be followed. A marriage to strive for.

Though this may not be the anniversary you dreamed of this is an anniversary to be celebrated. A marriage to be celebrated. I am blessed just to have been a witness.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom and Dad.
I love you so much.

Seven Years And Counting

Todd,

Seven years ago today we were standing in front of our families, friends, and God pledging our eternal love. We were posing for pictures, chatting with relatives, eating and drinking, cutting the cake, and cutting a rug. We were filled with not only our love for each other, but the love of all of those who gathered with us to show us their love, wish us the best, and help us celebrate the beginning of our forever. It was the best day ever.

But we always knew our marriage was not about the wedding. It wasn't about the dress or the tux. It wasn't about the flowers we picked out, the limo bus we had, or the thousands of pictures that were taken. It wasn't about the wedding rings we so carefully chose, the music we danced to, or even the food we ate. It was about the promise we made to each other and to God. It was about the covenant the two of us entered into and would spend the rest of our lives upholding.

Little did we know what marriage meant. We imagined that there would be difficult times. We knew life would get stressful. We knew there would be times we'd get on each other's nerves and drive each other crazy. We knew that having children could complicate a marriage. We had been told by many the challenges of marriage, and we entered our sacred promise with our eyes wide open. Still, we were surprised.

Being so naive and blinded by love on that day seven years ago we couldn't imagine the possibility of our overwhelming love growing even more. But it did. With every joyful occasion, every trial and tribulation, our love grew. With each deep secret, carefully guarded fear, and emotional breakdown we shared, our love grew. With each laugh, each heartbreak, and each milestone, our love grew. Our trust grew deeper, our connection stronger, our bond unbreakable. And it was a surprise. A pleasant surprise.

I can honestly say that I love you more today than I did the day I married you. I know my love for you will continue to grow with every year of our marriage. You are the most amazing man I've ever met. You are kind and compassionate. You are strong and spiritual. You are responsible and fun. You are my best friend.
I know the road will sometimes be tough. But it will be so much easier with you. I know we'll have many more wonderful, happy times too. And I'll laugh harder because of you. I am so grateful God brought me to you. Loving you is the best decision I've ever made.

Happy Anniversary, honey! I love you!

A Marriage Made In Heaven

They met in beauty school. She, an adorable, out-going, 17 year old girl fresh out of high school looking for a job while her boyfriend finished up his stint in the Army. When the woman she worked for suggested beauty school, she thought she would give it a try.

He was a 25 year old semi-professional football player just released from the Army. His girlfriend had convinced him that men make much more money than women do as hairdressers, so off he went to make some cash.

He walked in the door on the first day and stuck out like a sore thumb. There were a few other men in the beauty school, but none that looked like him. He was tall, well over six feet, with a muscular build, and thick, wavy, auburn hair. He was wearing a letter jacket and a Hollywood smile. All of the women in the room immediately melted and fell victim to his wit, his charm, and his flirtatious nature.

Except for her. She was not impressed. As the days went on the other girls in class continued to ooh and aah over him as she rolled her eyes. The girls crowded around to giggle and swoon when one of them said to her, “Oh Gloria, wouldn’t you just love to marry Johnny?”  To which she replied, “I feel sorry for the girl that marries him!”  She thought he was too arrogant and too flirtatious. Just not what she would want in a man.
Time went on and they began to warm to each other. He thought she was cute as a button, though much too young for him. His charm and easy-going nature began to win her over allowing her to realize all they had in common. They shared a passion for their religion, theater, singing, nature, and sports. They laughed constantly and had an obvious chemistry together. They began to enjoy each other’s company and became good friends. She realized she had misjudged him when he told her, “I may be flirtatious, but when I find the right girl, that’s it! She is the only one for me and I will treat her like a Queen.”

It was silly to ignore it anymore. She broke up with her boyfriend and he broke up with his girlfriend as they spent more and more time together. Soon they were inseparable, exploring their new city together, going on long walks, to the movies, and dancing. It all just seemed so natural.

On February 7th, 1959 they were married in her childhood church. Just one week shy of Valentine’s Day they pledged to love, honor and cherish one another until death parted them.

They spent their years taking long walks, going on motorcycle rides, going to church, starring in musicals together, raising 6 children, going camping, traveling, laughing, singing, dancing, working hard, and praying harder. They have been by each other’s side through the death of their first child, the deaths of their parents, cancer, and more recently, Alzheimer’s. And throughout their 49 years of marriage they remained best friends. They hold hands in church. Go on walks through the woods. She helps him get dressed in the morning. He carries the groceries for her.

Their marriage is an example of God’s great love for us and why marriage should be treated as the holy sacrament it is. I feel so blessed to have witnessed such an amazing, committed, faithful marriage. I’ve learned that there are fights, but you forgive. I’ve learned that no one is perfect, and acceptance is imperative. I’ve learned that you live for the good times and put your head down, your hands together, and pray through the hard times.

Thank you for a lifetime of immeasurable lessons.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

This man and this woman
Vowed to be true.
In good times and bad
They would see each other through.
Hand in hand to the floor
They sealed their love with a dance,
And with God on their side
They gave love a chance.
Through the years they take turns
Leading the way,
And though life does get rough
They never do stray.
No matter the song,
No matter the pace,
They always make it through
Dancing with ease and with grace.
All the others admire
Their strength and devotion,
And learn by example
How to keep love in motion.
So it brings me great pleasure
To wish them today
Happy 49th Anniversary,
And God bless them I pray.