I made a decision that would change my life in ways I could never have dreamed. Really the decision was already made. This date was well planned. I was participating in the ceremony that would make this decision a public promise with friends, family, God and most importantly to my new wife. Lisa and I were finally married.
March 16th, 1991 was written on invitations weeks ago. But the heart felt commitment between Lisa and I had been there for years. We started dating in the fall of 1987. By winter we were in the “I LOVE YOU” stage and by the following year we were already talking marriage. Not long after we started dating we just knew we would always be together. It was like we had always been together.
There is something special about Lisa, that to this day, I still can’t quite put my finger on. It is like she has always been the love of my life even before we met. It just took meeting her and several dates for me to discover this. We share a special bond that no one else shares. Even most couples I see don’t seem to have that something special we have. I guess one reason that special quality is so hard to describe is because it is nothing specific about either one of us. I truly believe it is our destine, chosen by God. Everyday we are together is us honoring God’s plan for our lives.
Every day I get to spend with Lisa is a true blessing. When we’re apart (even different aisles of Walmart) I yearn to be close to her again. Over the past couple decades we have rarely been apart for longer than several hours. When we have, it feels tragic. When we get to spend days at a time never leaving each other’s presence, it is like a small taste of heaven. We have that non-vocal communication, that secret language only we share. We can spend hours together, never saying a word but having filled volumes in our hearts.
It is sad to say when we often hear from others we know that they “need a break” from their spouse. Spending long periods of time with their lifelong partner seems like an ironic chore. When Lisa and I are together, the unpleasant burdens of the day are suddenly lightened. The stresses of life are calmed. A euphoric sense of security enwraps us both like a warm blanket.
The 25 years we’ve been together may seem to some like a long time. But too me it seems too short. This milestone comes with a realization that we are probably halfway there. Seldom do people live much past their golden wedding anniversary. It brings me to tears thinking that may be all we have left, if God continues to provide us with life and health.
Let’s make the most of it! We have a lot of experience behind us. Some of it was tragic; some of it was joyous; but all of it was a blessing. I pray the next 25 years will be an even greater blessing as we watch or children grow and experience their own lives. We have so many plans for us and our children; I’m sure we’ll never finish them all. But I’m sure we’ll enjoy trying.
Lisa, I love you more today than I ever thought possible. I get tears in my eyes just watching you do the simple things — cleaning the house, packing Emma’s lunch; just preparing us for the day ahead. You are the love of my life, my best friend and my constant companion as we travel through this life God has given. I pray for you everyday and I pray we get to experience at least another 25 years together before either of us are called home for eternity.
