Tag Archives: anniversary

In it for good

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I played piano for a beautiful wedding yesterday.  The bride and groom looked awfully young to me…and happy.  Just like so many of us, they’ve thought about this day for a long time and repeat the vows after the minister with smiles while looking intently into the other’s eyes.  Hopefully this moment will just be the start for them of committing to each other and keeping their promises.

I remember well looking into John’s eyes way back in 1988 as we gave our word to one another, our hearts saying “This is for life.  I’m in this no matter what.”  If God had shown us that day all that we’d encounter together as the years rolled by we’d have been overwhelmed.  I like to think we’d both still be game, but we’d certainly be less starry-eyed and looking a little more like deer in the headlights.

It’s probably good that in the wedding ceremony the minister doesn’t go into detail in the vows, Continue reading →

Day Three

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Saturday morning I woke to a sunny sky with big clouds and was optimistic about the rest of the day since it was the day for the big 50th anniversary party.  The house was quiet with sleepyheads sleeping in, so John’s dad and I went to the lake path again.  We walked and talked, then I jogged for a while, then we walked back to the car.  It was nice.  A breeze had started to blow and the sky was getting a little grayer.

There was a little time to sit and read, watch a TV with the girls, and just relax before getting ready for the party.  We got dressed and “snazzy” and headed out to the Elks lodge to celebrate John’s parents’ marriage for 50 years!  Many friends and relatives joined us, in spite of a torrential downpour on the way there.  It was fun to watch them all reconnect, talk and laugh together.  Some of those Polish peeps can get really loud!  I know some of them, as well, so got to catch up a little.  We took lots of pictures and video, had some 5731_118891228893_660523893_3046650_7394089_nyummy food for dinner including tortellini, meatballs and homemade kielbasa (polish sausage), enjoyed watching John lead his parents through the renewing of their wedding vows, and had some delicious wedding cake before cleaning up and going home.  What a beautiful thing to see two people who have not had a perfect marriage (there is none, I believe) but decided they were committed to staying together through it all – good and bad.  There love is so obvious.  It was wonderful for John to get to be part of their recommitment to one another.  His mom’s parents are both living so her dad got to walk her “down the aisle” as we all hummed the wedding march.  So special and fun.

We were all pretty tired when we got home but had enough energy to watch the movie “Willow” and flake out on the couches in our jammies.  I was playing a game on the Nintendo DS we brought along when Kristine  chastised me, “Mom, you’re not being present with your family.  That’s just as bad as texting.”  I scowled at her playfully, but then realized she was right, so I turned it off.  I’ll take that from her.  I need to be reminded as much as anyone else.   Special people, special reason to celebrate, special day.

21 years and counting

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21 years ago today I stood in a beautiful dress, in a sun-filled sanctuary, with many happy faces watching – facing the man I knew God had chosen for me.  We confidently and happily vowed faithfulness and love to one another and as a couple, to God.  We walked out of that room as husband and wife.  It was a beautiful, sunny April day.  Surrounded by many friends and family members, we celebrated what God had given us.

There have been lots of joyful times along the way.  Lots of good memories.  Lots of laughter and blessings.  There have also been lots of challenges, troubles, obstacles, and “opportunities for growth” individually and as a couple.

Before we were married, John felt a call from God to serve full-time in ministry.  As we made our way through the years of seminary, working extra jobs, raising 3 little girls, barely making it by, and then starting our first pastorate in New Mexico, I realized God was calling me too.  He called me to stand beside John, to serve alongside Him, to use my gifts to enhance whatever John was doing.  I don’t feel like it was an accident – it was on purpose.  The call to be a pastor’s wife is real – it’s not just a role you accidentally fall into.

We’ve faced a lot together and I know there will be more in the future that requires us to pull together rather than apart, to lean on each other and on God, to pray, to wait, to be there for each other.  All of the fearful times, the sad times, the disappointing and discouraging times, dumb decisions and better ones, misunderstandings and making up times, waiting and trusting times have deepened our love for each other and strengthened us.  I wouldn’t want to face it with anyone else.  I’m so glad God gave me John.

So here’s to 21 years, Honey, and to many more.

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