35 years ago today...

Monday, July 10, 2017

Thirty-five years ago today I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. I could hardly eat a beautiful brunch prepared for me. This was one of the most important days in my life. It seems like yesterday -- and forever at the same time. On that hot, steamy day I married my best friend in the whole world. And he married me back!

So how is it that we've managed to stay married for 35 years? 

Priorities. 

Communication. 

Bill and I were Christians for several years before we met each other. And in those years we developed a solid relationship with the Lord. We established Him as first in our lives and we were comfortable taking the back seat. He guided us, nurtured us, loved us, and helped us know our importance in His eyes. 

Our courtship and marriage was no different. God was still first. And each of us was comfortable with that. When we talked about our future together and I expressed some reluctance about being that stereotypical "preacher's wife," Bill very wisely encouraged me to be me. (Can't you see me being anything BUT stereotypical!) He told me to be involved at church where I felt God leading me to be involved. And as long as I made the Lord proud, who cared about what anybody else thought! (Pretty wise for only being 23 years old!)

So we have always tried to keep our marriage balanced regarding priorities. God has always been first. 

Now don't think for a minute that we neglected each other or our children. That's not what God wanted either. It was hard to keep a good balance -- but we did the best that we could. And God has blessed our efforts. 

Besides priorities, communication has also been key. We have done our best to address issues as they have come up and not to let irritations fester. But I shared my thoughts and feelings differently than Bill did. That only stands to reason -- we had each come from totally different family settings and we were two very different individuals. So we had to figure out a way to address things that best suited us. It took some trial and error. 

One time we were trying to decide whether to do this one thing or to do something else. He thought I wanted the one thing and I thought he wanted the other. (It kind of reminds me of The Gift of the Magi.) We ended up doing one thing when in reality we both wanted to do the other. We didn't figure this out until later, though, and it was a good lesson for us. We couldn't read each others' minds. We had to talk. 

Over the years we have made it a point to spend time together when it was just the two of us. We talk about everything. We know each other well. 

So as I reflect over these past 35 years, I'm so glad that God not only brought Bill and me together but that He helped us grow stronger as a couple with every passing year. He is the sweetest thing EVER. And he always has my best interest at heart! I can't imagine life without him. He is my soulmate!