25 Years Ago Today...

...I walked down the aisle and with great joy, married this wonderful man. He is the most precious earthly gift God has ever given to me. He's my sweetheart, companion, dearest friend and love of my life. He brings unspeakable joy and inexpressable love to every day. I am so very blessed.

One morning about a year ago, I woke up and walked into our kitchen...bedhead, no makeup and pajamas. It was very early and the house was quite dark except for one small light. I thought Tom was still sleeping, but a few moments later, he walked into the room with something behind his back. He said, "I made something for you." With that, he extended his hand to reveal a cd he had entitled "Tom's Heart for Tracy." A lump formed in my throat as I placed it in the player. I listened intently. As the songs he had chosen began to play, the tears began to flow. He wrapped me in a hug and we listened together. Before we knew it, we were "dancing." I don't mean elaborate, deliberate dancing...I mean that sweet, soft swaying of two contented souls. It was a moment forever etched in my heart.

As I celebrate the love we share today, one of those songs especially comes to mind. Written by Steven Curtis Chapman, it's entitled, "We Will Dance."

I've watched the sunrise in your eyes,
and I've seen the tears fall like the rain.
You've seen me fight so brave and strong,
you've held my hand when I'm afraid.

We've watched the seasons come and go;
we'll see them come and go again.
But in winter's chill, or summer's breeze,
One thing will not be changin'...

CHORUS:
We will dance;
When the sun is shining, in the pouring rain.
We'll spin and we'll sway, and we will dance,
when the gentle breeze, becomes a hurricane.
The music will play, and I'll take your hand
and hold you close to me...
and we...will dance.

Sometimes it's hard to hold you tight;
sometimes we feel so far apart.
Sometimes we dance as one,
and feel the beating of each other's heart.

Some days the dance is slow and sweet,
some days we're bouncing off the walls.
No matter how this world may turn,
our love will keep us from fallin' and we...

We will dance;
When the sun is shining, in the pouring rain.
We'll spin and we'll sway, and we will dance,
when the gentle breeze, becomes a hurricane.
The music will play, and I'll take your hand
and hold you close to me...
and we...will dance.

The music will play,
and I'll hold you close and I won't let you go;
even when our steps grow weak and slow...

Still I'll take your hand,
and hold you close to me...
and we...will dance.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie! I love you beyond words and I cherish you with all my heart. I look sweetly forward to morning dances in the kitchen with you, all the days of my life.

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.

~ Song of Solomon 6:3

52 years ago today...

…that sweet hubby of mine was born. What an amazing gift and blessing! I’m privileged to have shared this day with him for 26 of those years (exactly half his life so far!)

One of many things I’ve learned in all that time is how much he dislikes being the center of attention for occasions such as this. He gets great joy in celebrating others, but when it comes to his special day, nothing makes him happier than a quiet, low-key celebration at home. In keeping with his wishes, I will see that he is showered (in an understated ways, of course) with much love and many blessings all throughout the day. It’s a joy and privilege that I eagerly anticipate each year. = )


To my dear husband and most cherished friend,

How I love you, Sweetheart! I thank God for the gift of your life and the immeasurable joy it brings to me. I pray your day is filled to overflowing with love and the sweetest of blessings.

XOXOXOXO,
me

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!