Against all odds...

According to statistics, young marriages (those who enter into marriage before age 20) are the most likely to end in divorce. Chris and I could have easily defined a *doomed* marriage on October 18th, 1991 because we certainly fit into the "young marriage" category. I was barely 19 and he was 21. I am certain there were those in our circle of friends and family who looked our way and with bated breath, waited for the inevitable. Thankfully, the inevitable was that God had already set a plan into motion that not only included a blessed union but more importantly, two hearts that belonged to Him.




His most beautiful mercy and grace has covered our marriage throughout some of the most difficult years of our lives. This will mark the 17th year of my life spent with Chris, which means that I have now spent more time with this man than I have without him. What a precious thing to be able to say! There is no one else who knows what complete despair that my heart has felt or shared the overwhelming joy that has blessed my life. While we are different in many ways, like so many other marriages, I would say those differences compliment one another.

We spent the weekend together in D.C. while GiGi came and watched the kids. On Sunday we went to Capitol Hills Baptist Church (Mark Dever) and it was a wonderful sermon. Took a few wrong turns and since we were on foot (foot with 3-inch heels underneath) it made the getting there a bit challenging. Thirty minutes later and some cab fare, all was well and so very worth it! Afterwards we *stopped by* the largest Pittsburgh Steelers fan hub, called the "Poor House" and watched the nerve wracking game that ultimately ended in a loss for the black & gold, but still a lot of fun. I must say it is a tad bizarre to high-five people you've never met, but don't knock it till ya try it! We enjoyed our time, but we are both homebodies and missed our babies! Being away makes me remember how much I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

It was really a necessary thing, though to be removed from our everyday circumstances and be reminded of who we are just *together* without the "mom" or "dad" tag attached. Chris is still able to make me laugh....out loud.....hard.....and with an occasional snort more than anybody on this planet.

The Lord saw it fitting to begin our journey with Him very close to the same time, even though Chris was raised in church and I was not. We were baptized together in 1996 and I would say that "ceremonial" day was more meaningful than our wedding because it was not until we were truly committed, converted, sold-out believers that we ever had that same reverence for our marriage.

Wow! When I think back at how God preserved these two fruit-loops for a magnificent plan of working us towards a holy marriage it really is mind-boggling.Work in progress? Oh, have mercy! Every single day still challenges us to the core of our being. Praise Him for at that core is no longer just me or him trying to persevere, but rather Christ making us new each and every day!

Happy 15th Anniversary Honey! I love you :)

(To clarify- we began dating 17 years ago, married 15 years ago and so our anniversary is a double celebration!)