20 Really *is* Great

Two days ago, the Mr. and I celebrated the big 2-0. That hardly seems possible. I had great intentions of getting this post up on the big day, but rather I chose to enjoy it, unplugged, and completely present to my husband and family.

No regrets.

Enjoy the photos and the look back! If you love a good “here’s how we met,” click away.

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You know how you look up sometimes and wonder how you got from there, to here, that fast?

Twenty years ago the Mr. and I got hitched. The day before, the hour preceding our rehearsal dinner, I was confirmed in the Catholic church.

As beautiful and well-planned as that day was (and trust me, we planned a lot) no one ever shared how much marriage would change me. I mean, they might’ve said things like, “This is only the beginning!” or “May you have a lifetime of happiness.” But for me, as I reflect back on that day, I remember seeing many knowing glances, kind nods and small smiles as couple after couple hugged us and wished us well.

They knew what we had yet to learn: marriage is sanctifying, if you let it be.

In the early years, Scott and I scraped by on nothing as we moved to Iowa and completed our graduate degrees at Iowa State. Y’all. We had no money, froze our butts off and saw more snow than I thought God could ever make. Those were some good years, not just because we learned how far a jar of peanut butter could really go, but because God led us to the doors of a beautiful church. There, we met couples who formed us and our faith. A priest who was a good, good father. {Cue the Chris Tomlin.} And, a group of graduate students that opened our eyes to other religions and cultures that surely shaped our worldview on tolerance and acceptance.

Along came another move, this time to Indiana (waving to Carmel and Westfield peeps!) and our first baby, first house and first set of awesome neighbors. When I say awesome, I mean it. Scott and I started volunteering with the youth ministry program. What an enriching, fun, exhausting and spiritually satisfying few years those were.

A move to Texas and five babies later, here we are.

Our twenty years haven’t been without suffering, without desolation, without frustration and without pain. It’s what led us to the counseling door after our son’s premature birth. A loving, compassionate counselor can do beautiful things for your marriage. Trust me.

But, mostly, as I look back on these last two decades I am reminded how deep and wide God’s love must be for me. For, I’ve experienced amazing love through my husband and kids and if God’s is greater? Holy smokes. There are books I could write about the things I adore about Scott, and a few appendices I could write about the things that drive me nuts. But, since I still leave my shoes in the middle of the floor and run the van until it’s on “E,” I’ll keep those to myself.

Scott, this is for you: thank you for asking me out to that George Strait concert all those years ago. It took us a while to get there, but we finally did. Thanks for holding my hand on dates, letting me sob on your shoulder when the days are just too hard, making me feel like the prettiest woman in the room and supporting me in all my endeavors. You tell it to me straight, always. Your love of being a father is pretty great. Who else would feed the kids chocolate cake? And thank you for being such a strong faith leader in our home. You are the spiritual head of our house and your example is a beautiful one for our kids.

These past 20 years have been imperfectly perfect. Just the way God intended. I don’t know how many years we will enjoy together as a couple, but I am profoundly grateful for these 20. Our love, it is deep and wide, filled with respect, faith and gratitude.

You really are my better half.

Happy anniversary, sweetheart.