Friday, September 12, 2008

Happy Anniversary to my Sweetheart!

Hope this finds you well. Thanks once again for your prayers and kindness for my hubby and I. We’ve been able to spend some sweet and precious time together in the last couple of weeks. A few rough moments (as we expected), but we’ve truly sensed God’s unmistakable presence through your prayers.

In the midst of my blogging break, Tom and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to reminisce a bit, and share some sweet thoughts, both to and about my beloved.

Here we are, September 1, 1984. (I dare say a few of you weren’t even born yet!) Would you just look at my man. Is he handsome or what!?! I had always wished as a little girl my hubby would have brown eyes. God certainly delivered that and then some! ☺ I can’t help but smile when I see my hat in this photo. It started in the right place, tilted down at the front in a very sophisticated way, but after several hours, many hugs and a few dances later, it looks more like I was a cowgirl bride. (lol) All kidding aside, we had a beautiful wedding. I remember thinking that day I couldn't possibly love him any more. All these years later, I'm thankful to know that was but a glimpse of the love I have for him today.

As others have done, I want to share with Tom 24 special things I love about him.
1. I love that you always reach over and take my hand when we pray.
2. I love that you call me “your very best girl.”
3. I love that you always make a point of thanking me when I make a meal.
4. I love watching what an amazing Dad you are.
5. I love they way you're so attentive to take care of trees, our yard and especially the flowers I plant.
6. I love riding the bus to work with you each morning.
7. I love the way you sneak and do the laundry sometimes to surprise me.
8. I love that you’re so careful to keep your side of the vanity so nice and neat.
9. I love your sweet e-cards.
10. I love the name game we always play.
11. I love that even when you’re tired, you’ll often ask, “What can I do to help you?”
12. I love watching storms with you from the back porch.
13. I love that anytime we finish a meal, you insist on clearing the dishes and putting away the leftovers.
14. I love that you’re a kid at heart.
15. I love that you’re a man of a thousand faces and voices.
16. I love watching movies with you, especially when they make you laugh.
17. I love how much you love everything about fall.
18. I love the way you call me outside to see a beautiful sunset or starry sky.
19. I love the way you surprise me with sweet treats.
20. I love how excited you get about Christmas.
21. I love taking walks with you, especially on snowy days.
22. I love how excited you get and how much you want to “see all there is to see” when we travel someplace new.
23. I love that you always encourage me more than usual on Bible study days, because you know I get a bit anxious.
24. I love that you truly cherish Brennan and I.

I could honestly go on and on…there so much more I love about you. I’m beyond blessed. Happy (belated) Anniversary, Sweetie!

29 comments:

Kristen said...

Tracy - Welcome Back and Happy Anniversary to you and your sweet hubby! Yes, he is very handsome!

Your tribute to him warmed my heart. What a special guy you have! My husband and I will celebrate 18 years later this month.

Peggy said...

Blessings Tracy & Tom...and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY all 24!!! May God continue to bless and multiply these
Lovely words of LOVE & tribute for you & your handsome man! How wonderful you took this time away to enjoy each other and readjust! But I'm so glad you're back! Thanks for coming and sharing with me! Congratulations! How beautiful the two of you are and your LOVE is such an aMazing gift you share with God's blessings and favor!!! I so enjoyed going through your 24...+
You're a living doll, now be good
to your man and enjoy the weekend!
Do not overdo the blogging and visiting! Laurie Ann has blessed us once more in a Circle of Friends!!!

Melanie said...

Welcome back, Tracy! I've missed you.

Happy Anniversary to you and Tom... what a great man you have described. This is such a terrific post!

Blessing to you both!

The McLain Family said...

I just want to say that seeing the picture of your wedding cake brought back such memories for me. I remember thinking that it was the biggest cake that I had ever seen. We had such a great time at your wedding. It is hard to believe that it was 24 years ago. Happy Anniversary! My prayer is that God gives you many more.

LynnSC said...

Tracy,
It was great to hear from you... I am glad that you are back. What a special time you and your husband must have had for the last several weeks. Time devoted to one another.

What an awesome man you have described, sounds like a blessing.

Happy Anniversary!
Lynn

Addicted to Beadz said...

Tracy~

What a great way to honor your man. Thanks for sharing!

Happy Anniversary!

Wishing you many years to come!

Love,
Cheryl

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

What a SWEET...SWEET...SWEET...tribute..to a SWEET...SWEET...SWEET...couple.

I'm still no my knee's praying for you sweet friend. God has certainly BLESSED you....remember that during those times you feel lost or alone, or discouraged.

Remember to cling to the hem of his garment as you and your hubby enter this "new season"!!

Happy Anniversary friend.

Kim~

Susan said...

Ahhhh, how neat!!

Happy 24th!!

Doesn't it just get better and better???

What a precious couple you are~

Susannah said...

Oh.my.goodness. Yes, he IS handsome, and you are gorgeous! Do you really have red hair? (My Mom had red hair too.) Happy anniversary you two. Enjoy the rest of your blogging break. :~D

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Beautiful post. Happy anniversary to you! And, man, what a cake!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you're back. I just found you and then poof you decided to take a break. Welcome home! and congratulations on your anniversary. I love the wedding picture, beautiful and sweet.

Nancie said...

Tracy, Happy Belated Anniversary to you and your dear husband. This is such a beautiful post! Thank God for blessing you with a godly and loving husband, wonderful is so many ways! I love your wedding photo. You are so beautiful and he is so handsome :) May God continue to bless both of you and Brennan as you seek and serve Him together. Take care and have a blessed weekend!

Becky said...

Hi Tracy!

What a darling couple you make! Congratulations on 24 years of wedded bliss! Such posts and the love behind them are truly an inspiration.

The things you've listed reveal some of the 'secrets' to a long and happy marriage...giving to each other, putting each other first...appreciating each other...laughing together...sharing together.

Truly, Tracy, singles and young marrieds would benefit from 'studying' under your example (like in a church ministry situation...). ;)

Your attire and that cake bring back memories of the long ago weddings I attended as a junior higher...where, though my parents marriage was on the rocks, nevertheless I was encouraged to hold out for my own Mr. Right...and am I ever glad I did!

Edie said...

This is so beautiful Tracy. I love the wedding picture and the wonderful list of the way God has blessed you through your husband. Happy Anniversary and God bless you both.

Anonymous said...

I am just now getting to your, you made a post when we had Bloggy Giveaways! That was forever ago, my days are hectic.
So you had a preemie too?
They are tough babies I tell ya!

Julie said...

Happy Anniversary friend....

You were and are a beautiful bride!

I hear you about the 24 years later..... I feel the same way about my husband after 25 years. I am more in love with Him today than I could have imagined.

It's good to have you back....

Thanks for your sweet words on my blog!
Hugs,
Julie

Connie Barris said...

this was just wonderful..Happy Anniversary..God Bless you always

I recognize the 80's outfits.. wow...and what an awesome cake.. that was incredible...

blessings

Anonymous said...

how wonderful! happy anniversary! God bless you always! ♥

Krista said...

Awww. That was very sweet. I bet Tom feels honored and blessed! Happy Anniversary!
Krista

Leaon Mary said...

Happy 24th Anniversary!
Your wedding picture is amazing and you are positively RADIANT Tracy! Oh what a beautiful bride and your sweetheart and you just look MADE FOR EACHOTHER! SWEET LOVE and to think you are nurturing your relationship 24 years later, enjoying eachother and your list of 24 things of all the wonderful things you enjoy and are grateful for... well; it blessed me just reading it! He must love you very very very much. God bless you sweet Tracy and welcome back!
Love from the shabby olde potting shed
Lea

Laurie Ann said...

Happy belated anniversary! I loved reading your beautiful tribute to your husband. It's precious. I'm so glad you love him so much, and you truly seem happy and at peace with your relationship. You don't seem to take him for granted. That's wonderful! Steve and I were married 17 years in May - I can't wait to see what it's like for us at 24 years.

Tricia said...

Happy Anniversary! So glad you are back and glad you had a nice break.

Sounds like you are blessed with a great husband, I pray God would bless you both with many, many more years together!

Blessings!

DeeDee said...

Happy Anniversary....
found you from Tricia's blog.

I will be back :)

Blessings,
DeeDee

Natalie said...

Tracy, so good to hear from you. What tender words and heartfelt post! Many more years of happiness are wished upon you and your husband. Happy Anniversary!

Cathy said...

Thanks for visiting my blog.
You were a beautiful bride, and your husband is handsome. I can see why you are truly blessed with your sweet, thoughtful husband.

DeeDee said...

Hey! Just added my pic to your "followers". Come and join me and mine. This is fun - I like it :)

Alexis said...

Happy Anniversary! I am so inspired by your list! May I encourage you to keep it and continue adding to it?? My list sits at over 200 right now... and whenever I feel discouraged in my marriage, I pull out "THE list"! It works wonders!!

By the way- Glad to see you back!

HDMac said...

Happy Anniversary !!!

What loving and wonderful words and thoughts for your husband!

God bless!

Tea with Tiffany said...

Sweet words for your wonderful husband. Loved reading how he loves you. Hope you enjoyed your anniversary. Our 17th was Sept. 3rd