It was our anniversary?

September 14th came and went just like any other day. It was a Sunday and a busy one at that. My family was in town to celebrate Mom's birthday and Joey has a few extra things on his plate to say the least. Sunday School, a morning a.m. sermon, a funeral at 3, a deacon meeting at 4 and committee night at the church house at 5:30. Around 7:30 he was home and exhaustedly declared, "Happy Anniversary." That's right folks 12 years! I would say that this is an uncommon occurence for our anniversary but it is not. Oh, the long sob story of that day holding funerals, business, not to mention the whole 9/11 disaster; I mean who wants to celebrate your anniversary when the entire country is grieving. Yes, our anniversary has become a day we kindof scoff at or cringe at as we check the calendar and see it approaching. However, I do not want it to come and go without giving some consideration to the seriousness of this day. For crying out loud, if we really do the math, I have been with this man for 18 years (including dating for 6). That's more than half my life!!! During a time when divorce is on the rise, infidelity is commonplace, and marital bliss is a term of yesteryear-- I am thankful for my marriage. My man strives for moral integrity and purity on a daily basis. He honors me and aims at a love for me that is as Christ loves the church. His greatest pleasure on off days is to spend the day with us. He tells me I am beautiful on the days I look my worst and continues to give me that smile that is reserved only for me.

We survived high school together. We enjoyed college and grew in the Lord together. We have moved across the U.S. together and away from our family together. We have endured the pain of a miscarriage together. We have experienced the joy of having two beautiful children together. We have lost grandparents together. We have entered ministry as pastor and his wife together. We have not been able to afford toilet paper together. We have bought our first house together. Oh the coutless things we have done TOGETHER. 12 years is a miracle in many eyes. It is amazing how we forget that other people just don't have a marriage like this. I am thankful for the last 12 years; I am married to my best friend after all!