06 Jul 8 years
A little over thirteen years ago, I met my soulmate, and eight years ago today, I was lucky enough to get to marry him. I think if you know me at all, you probably know that I’m not a very emotional person. I am horrible at showing and sharing my true feelings. I am never the one to show affection in public. So, I hope that it’s a good surprise to Gray that I am putting this out there on the internet for the world (or our small realm of readers, at least) to see.
There are two photographs of us from the day of our senior prom framed in the hallway outside the kids’ rooms. Most days I pass them by without even noticing them. Today, I stopped and studied them awhile. I wondered if the two kids in those pictures really knew what love meant, even though we said it so much. I wondered if they would have stayed together had they known the challenges that were to come. I wondered if we were even the same people today that we were then. We certainly had an opinion of what we thought our future would be, and I guarantee you it didn’t work out that way! In the short amount of time we’ve been together, we have survived more burdens and trials than one couple should have to face in a lifetime. It has certainly changed us as individuals and as a couple.
Yes, a lot has changed since those photos were taken. I know a love today for my husband that is so much stronger and deeper than what I knew then. I know that when life gets too hard, I couldn’t make it without him to pick me up…nor would I want to. I know that our children are the best thing that has ever happened to either of us, and when I look at him with them, I can see God’s love come to life before my eyes. We had only been dating a few months when I knew that there was no one else in this world I wanted to grow old with, just to be with. No matter what life throws at us, I can’t imagine waking up each day without him at my side, knowing that we will face it together.
There’s a song playing on the radio lately called “God Gave Me You” by Dave Barnes. It made me cry this morning as I listened because it rang so true to me. When I saw the video, it felt almost as if the song was written just for us. (Click HERE to hear and see it.)
Gray, I don’t know who I’d be without you. I don’t say it enough or show it enough, and for that, I’m truly sorry. You are everything to me. I’m so glad God gave me you…for the good times, the bad times, and everything in between. I love you, honey. More than you know. Happy Anniversary!
On my own, I’m only half of what I could be,
I can’t do without you,
We are stitched together,
And what love has tethered,
I could never undo.
God gave me you for the ups and downs,
God gave me you for the days of doubt,
For when I think I’ve lost my way,
There are no words left here to say,
It’s true.
God gave me you.