Once Upon A Time....

Today, I begin our story. If you didn’t read my post from yesterday this makes absolutely no sense to you. You can go back and catch up if you like. But if you want to just jump right in...come on!

In honor of our upcoming 25th wedding anniversary, I am going to share our story. A love story that spans over a quarter of a century and shares all the growing and learning in our marriage. Some things will be boring for you, some things will sound vaguely familiar, and some things, I pray, will inspire you to know that marriage is a huge blessing in spite of our human selves. This is our journey of 25 years of walking this blessing, making mistakes along the way, but praising God that we get to walk it together.

So, if you’re ready, grab your cup of coffee and join me for a walk down memory lane!

Once upon a time.......JUST KIDDING!

Seriously, here is how it all began....

From the time I was a young girl I couldn't wait to grow up, meet Prince Charming, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. You know, the whole Cinderella fairy tale right? I guess I wasn't a whole lot different from other girls my age. That was the dream! My friends and I used to play wedding on the playground in elementary school and would find some poor little boys in our class to stand in as our grooms. Oh, those crazy elementary years and poor unsuspecting souls. Bless!

Well, my dream did come true and I am happy to say that I am still living my dream with my Prince Charming complete with a castle in Pender County. Okay, it's really just a regular old house but it's our "castle" nonetheless. 😉Though things weren't always a storybook tale, they were indeed part of our story so I guess I will start at the beginning. That hot summer day at Independence Mall when I met my prince!

Soon after I turned 16, it was time to find my first job. On July 21, 1989, I began working for a little company you may have heard of....Chick-fil-A. Lol! It was perfect for me. No Sundays and very flexible with my school and cheerleading activities. Two of my sisters had previously worked there and it just became a family thing. I remember walking in that first day nervous that I was entering the workforce. The owner, Mr. Skelton, introduced me to the other employees and I remember, like it was yesterday, this handsome guy standing over the fryer putting in a fresh batch of chicken nuggets. As romantic as this all sounds, I hate to bust the "Cupid bubble" and admit that it was not love at first sight. He was just a nice guy cooking chicken who so happened to be my new manager.

I loved working at Chick-fil-A! The majority of the staff were teens or college students and a couple of them went to school with me. We had a great time working! Even those long open to close Saturdays were a lot of fun in spite of the crazy lunch hour mall crowd. After working a couple of weeks, Matt and I became pretty good friends. But dating did not really enter our minds because, well, he was six years older than me. Yes, that's correct! I was 16 and he was 22. Now, once you pick your chin up off the floor, I will finish this beautiful story. 😂

One of my close friends (Shelly) noticed how great Matt and I got along and enjoyed being together. She decided to take matters into her own hands by convincing Matt to ask me out. He, of course, was concerned about our age difference but she, so slyly, reminded him that when he was old and gray, I would still be young and beautiful. Ha! I guess that did the trick because he did ask me out! I had dated a couple of guys before Matt but neither fit the standard I had set for dating. Maybe that sounds crazy to you but I didn't want to date a guy that I couldn't see myself married to one day. By that, what I mean is, I looked for certain qualities in a guy before I would date him. First and foremost, was he a believer and follower of Jesus? Yes, I had a long list but those things were important to me and the more I got to know Matt, the more it became evident that he possessed all those qualities. Did I expect perfection? Of course not. I am nowhere near perfect myself. But I looked for someone who was seeking the same things that I was. 

So now came the tough part.....asking my dad if this 22-year-old man could take his 16-year-old daughter out on a date. But I did what any girl scared to ask her daddy would do…. I asked my mom first. 😬 I came home from work all excited to tell my mom about this guy at work who asked me out and she was sharing in my excitement. I told her that he was so nice, funny, good looking, a Christian, with godly parents, and that he even went to a Baptist church. She was smiling cheerily and then I lowered the BOOM. I said,

"Oh, by the way, he is 22 and will you ask dad for me?"

The look on my mom's face was priceless! Lol! She, in her “always-calm manner”, said that she would ask him but was probably about to pass out. 

After work that Friday night, my dad agreed to meet Matt and invited him over to the house. So, we enter my home in our greasy uniforms reeking of fried chicken and the house is full of people. My sisters, my brother and their spouses just so happened to be there that night. Huh! Big coincidence? I don't think so. My mom and dad introduced themselves and then took us into the living room. The LIVING ROOM! We never went in there! That place was formal with fancy furniture and just shouted "INTIMIDATION". Anyway, for an hour my dad asked Matt questions as my mom and I sat quietly listening to Matt answer with perfect ease. He was well spoken and confident about what he was going to do with his life and assured my dad that he would be a perfect gentleman to his daughter. Okay, it was finally over and I was waiting for my dad to say "no", but my dad shook Matt's hand and told us to have a good time on our date.

What?!?!?!? He said, "YES"?

I think I heard thumps coming from the other room that occupied all my siblings with their ears, I'm sure, stuck to the walls as they eavesdropped. Lol! We were all in shock that my dad was allowing this date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As a side note....my dad told me years later (after we were married) that he never intended to allow me to go out with Matt. I mean the age difference was not something that made good sense. He said he invited him over that night so he could see what kind of 22-year-old man wanted to date his 16-year-old daughter. Lol! Yikes!😳

But after he spent time with Matt, he could tell that Matt's intentions were pure and he was so impressed with him and his character! I am so thankful my parents trusted my judgment! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, the next Saturday, August 26, 1989, was our big date! I was so excited! I bought a new outfit (my favorite color…purple) and made sure that my hair was done just right. Now, remember, this was the 80s so “just right” hair was big and full of hairspray. Don’t judge! Now that you have that visual in your mind let me continue….

I was so nervous as I waited for Matt's little red Ford Festiva to pull into the driveway. I think my heart was beating through my brand new purple and black polka dotted shirt. He arrived right on time and escorted me to his car. He opened the car door for me and was such the perfect gentleman. We had a wonderful time over dinner at Rock-ola Café. He was so easy to talk to and always carried the conversation.  After dinner, we went back to my house to play a game of pool on our family pool table. It was the perfect date! We laughed, talked, and enjoyed a fun evening. Of course, I could hardly go to sleep that night. I was totally smitten and knew deep in my heart that he was the one for me.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a second date anytime soon after. Though we remained close friends, it was a few months of Matt soul searching and me patiently waiting. You see, Matt was about to graduate from college and I was still a junior high school. Everything about our situation seemed as though we should go separate ways and we almost headed that way. But both of us knew deep down that God had plans for us beyond what we expected. 

It was New Year's Eve 1989 (after the big snow storm of ’89), as Matt returned from a scuba diving trip down in the Florida Keys with a friend, that we realized that we were meant to be together. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was heading to the mall to do a little retail therapy since I had not heard anything from Matt returning from his trip. As I got out of my car, I spotted Matt and his friend coming toward me through the parking lot. (Key the swelling romantic music and picture in slow motion as we walked towards each other…just kidding!) 

Matt walked right up to me, hugged me tightly, and told me he had missed me. He invited me over to his family's house after church that night for New Year’s Eve and from that point on, we were inseparable. We knew that God had plans for us and we decided to give this relationship a try. He told me that during that trip away, he felt as though God was doing a work in his heart about us.

Saying "yes" to our relationship when it didn't make a lot of sense to others was the beginning of a lifetime together of saying "yes" to God in whatever he called us to do. Over our 27 total years together, we have boldly said, "yes" to God's calling many times, yet feeling alone in our endeavor of obedience to Him. From the outside, things didn't always make sense and we didn't have all the answers but, together, we trusted the ONE who did and had faith that He would direct our path. We have had our share of ups and downs. We have weathered many storms and celebrated many victories. We have experienced the struggle of being disobedient to God and we have found comfort and peace being in the center of his will. Through it all, we have grown closer together and closer to our God. We have recognized that challenges are inevitable but that joy can remain. A relationship with God at the center is so much sweeter and not a day goes by that I don't praise my Heavenly Father for navigating our paths and granting us this most beautiful blessing of marriage! 

Though our marriage is not perfect, as we are not, our marriage is a continual work-in-progress that is grounded in faith, trust, forgiveness, lots of grace, and abounding love. Every day is an adventure through God's will and I am so incredibly blessed to be able to journey on with my love!

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. "

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 (NLT)

So, there it is. The beginning of our story. Long... I know. But wanting to remember every part because, well, though not the greatest love story ever told, ours is definitely my favorite. 😉

If you’re up for more, join me tomorrow morning for part 2! 

Happy February! Love is in the air!

Happy February! The shortest month of the year but, to me, the GREATEST month!

Next Wednesday Matt and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage! What?!?!? 25 YEARS! The silver anniversary! Praise the Lord! 

I can truly say that every day is sweeter and we treasure growing old together! I'm so blessed to grow old with him...my best friend. Though no one wants to grow old, that is part of this life here on earth and I have the honor of doing just that with him! Anyone that knows us very well understands how important our marriage is to us. It is something we cherish and we work hard at. So, in honor of our silver anniversary, I am going to post blogs this next week based on our marriage journey. I took that walk down memory lane and shared our love story with you a couple years ago and apparently there were a few of you that enjoyed it and asked if I was going to share it again. So, for those few of you…I hope you enjoy! 😉

God has given me a strong desire to encourage other marriages. Though ours is not perfect (believe me😬) we do take it seriously and enjoy the beautiful covenant we took in the presence of our God. I have been married to Matt for over half of my life and it would be fitting to say that God has given me some pretty incredible "teachable moments" during these last 25 years. It has not always been romance and roses (although the majority has❤️🌹) and at some points has been down right hard. But God has been so faithful and, through Him, our marriage has endured some pretty rough terrain. Terrain that has tested us and our commitment to each other but brought us to the place in which the covenant we took before God on February 8, 1992, has become even more special... more treasured... more sacred!

I look forward to sharing our journey this week. There is something exhilarating in taking that nostalgic walk down memory lane! Being reminded of how we met, how we fell in love, and how we continue to do "life" everyday with 2 busy jobs, 3 kiddos, and many other things thrown in the mix, can only make us stronger and I look forward to sharing that with you. I often share these memories with our kids and, believe it or not, they seem to enjoy hearing them. Or maybe they just amuse us but anyway....Lol! 

Marriage is a blessing! In a day and age where marriage is seen as a contract between two people instead of a covenant before Almighty God, I count it an honor to share with the world the secret to a long and lasting marriage. That secret........is God front and center! It doesn't work any other way for us!

I hope you will join me this week as I count down the days to our silver anniversary. My purpose is to reflect on where we’ve been so we can continue moving forward and hopefully encourage some of you in the process. We haven't always gotten it right in our 25 years but our mistakes have been used to learn and grow so that our marriage can remain strong. We will make more mistakes through our years together, of this I'm sure, but we will use them to better ourselves and let God work in us. 

The journey begins tomorrow! So, my friend, grab a cup of coffee in the morning and join me for my walk down memory lane!

"But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Mark 10:6-9 (NKJV)

Out With the Old, In With the New!

I had this pair of shoes, they were my favorite pair of fall/winter shoes. They were my “old faithfuls”. You girls know, the ones you grab to wear that will go with pants or jeans and you can throw them on when you want to be comfortable and still look decent. I had actually bought those faithful companions over 10 years before in Florida where our family resided for a while. They were a bargain at the Tommy Hilfiger outlet. I won’t buy something unless it is a bargain and I definitely won’t buy Tommy Hilfiger unless it is a REAL bargain! Lol! Yes, I’m cheap like that, well, I prefer “thrifty” instead of cheap but anyway…I digress. 🙄

Well, I knew the fall/winter before that those faithful companions were nearing their death when they were getting faded and were showing signs of old age. But nonetheless, I put them on that year, spiffing them up a little, hoping to keep them alive. As I walked out of my office one particular day in the pouring rain, I noticed my socks became wet.

☔️
What??? Not good! I didn’t see any visible holes but when I got home and took them off, the bottom of them had actually split all the way through the thick sole of the shoe. Yes, you guessed it. It was time. It was time after more than 10 faithful years. Those shoes had come to their demise. They were beyond repair and in need of replacing. It was a sad day! Lol! My husband, great man that he is, comforted me over the phone, 

“Honey, I think you got your money’s worth so please go get a new pair.” 

😬

He understood my pain of buying comfortable, reliable, yet still fashionable shoes…that could get pricey.

💰

So, the task before me was to go on a quest of finding a new faithful companion that would comfort my feet but still provide fashion and on a meager budget. Yes, my work was cut out for me but I was ready for the task. Haha! I eventually found a new pair but it took some breaking in.

I thought about the shoe fiasco the other day. No, I'm not still distraught about my shoes (I have moved on), but how life is a lot like those shoes. We find ourselves comfortable going about our life. Everything seems to fit and it is just the way we like it. But then our comfortable starts to show wear and small cracks give way to larger ones and cause discomfort and wet soles. It is in those times where God calls us out of our “comfort zones” and to take giant steps of faith that He has something else for us. When it goes beyond repair and in to something new. That can be exciting but can also be scary. No one likes to leave their comfort zone even if that "comfort" has become a little uncomfortable. It is familiar and change is hard. But with God leading the way, we have to place all faith and trust that He knows what is better. He will never call us away from something without replacing it with what is better for us…in that season…for HIS work.🙏🏼

So, if you’re facing the move from your comfort zone and following God in His leading, rest assured that He has already gone before you paving the way. Yes, there will be growing pains and times of “breaking in the new shoes” but where HE guides, HE provides and where HE calls you, HE will equip you with everything you need to do HIS work. 

Let’s never get so comfortable that we miss the leading of HIS will. May we walk uprightly and confidently in those new shoes and on our new path. Sure, rainy days may come but with new shoes fitted and designed by the Master Cobbler, we will stay dry and be ready to face the puddles. ☔️

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16:11‬

“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:3‬

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:6‬

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:25‬

The Countdown to 2017 Has Begun...

So the countdown has begun to say a formal farewell to 2016 and welcome another new year. I've read the posts about how 2016 was a horrible year and everyone is ready to see it go and move on. There have been memes and cartoon strips to, as sarcastically as possible, show that 2016 was not endeared upon. Lol! The election was at the top of that list of everyone's horribles, among many other things. But I think we miss one important fact...just because the clock strikes midnight and the confetti flies as the calendar changes over to 2017, it doesn't mean that all our difficulties and trials will magically disappear with the number 2017. The old year doesn't take those particular challenges with it. 

Now I'm on no way trying to rain on your parade here. This doesn't mean you need to stop the New Year's party and curl up in the corner in a fetal position and cry. But one thing I've learned in my 43 years of life is that the difficulties I've encountered have purpose in the pain of them. Purpose that makes me lean more heavily into the big fatherly arms of my God for comfort and guidance. Purpose that sometimes changes the course of my life to line it up closer with a heavenly perspective. Purpose that keeps my eyes fixed Christ!

So what happens if those difficulties carry over to the new year?

I'm sure some of those trials will continue on in the new year but hopefully with a renewed sense of resolve to surrender them to THE God who can turn each mess into a beautiful message. God has been with me through every trial I've encountered and though they haven't been pleasant, He has taught me more about Him in its midst. Even when that difficulty was caused by my own selfishness and sin. He has shown me grace and mercy around each sharp turn of difficult and, even more so, brought me closer to His heart. 

Yes, yes, I am like you too and would love for each difficulty to dissipate and stroll leisurely on the easy street of 2017 but I also know that when my perspective moves from "impossible" to "God-possible", the umbrella that tried to cover the downpour of rain gives way to praise as I dance in said rain. 

Sometimes our negative outlook can cloud the blessings He continually does pour out on us. That doesn't make light of your difficulty. The challenge in front of you may be taking your breath and your breathing becomes more labored with every new blow to your gut. Dear friend, rest in His arms and begin to breathe in the breath of a Father who cares about you, who adores you, and really is for you. Maybe you're not seeing it that way right now but remember those patriarchs of scripture that traveled treacherous journeys as well and know that God doesn't give up on His children. He sees you through and strengthens you in the process. Press on dear friend! Keep the faith in HIM! 

He is a good, good Father and I pray that no matter how 2016 ends and 2017 begins that we keep our focus on Him! He brings beauty out of ashes and I know YOU are beautiful! 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3‬

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1-2

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬

Twas the Day After Christmas...

It's the day after Christmas! For us it means mandatory rest...pajamas all day, eating leftovers, and watching movies. Yes! Being lazy and not feeling guilty about it at all!!  I soak in all the memories of get-togethers with family & friends and the whirlwind of activity that took place the last 9 days and try not to think of all the cleanup that needs to get done (tomorrow 😉). I enjoyed my first full week off in a year and though it was a scurry of activity, it was full of family fun and focus on the true meaning of Christmas! I love my family so much!❤

This morning I sat at the kitchen table with my Bible and coffee and began to pray. I prayed over those I love so dearly that faced not-so-merry days this Christmas and yet rejoiced over what I believe God is going to do through those dark valleys. Christmas should be a time of celebration and excitement but sometimes dreams and plans get clouded by the darkness of sin and hit you like a punch in the gut. 

Maybe that is you this morning too....

Maybe you wake up on this day after Christmas discouraged by the sadness you are feeling and wonder how things got like they did. Maybe you're ready to be done with Christmas and move on. 

Let me encourage you within the pages of the greatest love story ever. A love story written for you by a God that adores you and is for YOU! Read them out loud! Don't be timid....shout them out! They are for YOU!

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:1-2‬

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:5‬

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20‬

These are only a few of the passages immersed within those blessed pages for YOU! Though the way in front of you may be dark, God is light and His light will carry you through. Just hold tightly to HIM! Stay strong in your faith & focus and hold tightly to the HOPE that is JESUS! 

“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5‬

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬

Make this day after Christmas a day of hope renewed! Celebrate who HE is, what HE has done, and what HE will do through YOU! 

What Christmas is All About!

When I was a child, I could not wait for Christmas!  It was always such a special time and I loved everything about it! My mom made Christmas so special! Even with 5 children and finances being extremely tight, Christmas was always exciting and memorable for each of us.  I can’t remember the gifts I received from year to year, but the things I remember are the special times that we experienced as a family.  I loved waking up on the days preceding Christmas and hearing the Christmas music playing, smelling the wonderful goodies mom had cooking, and seeing my mom on the couch reading her Bible!

There was one Christmas that will forever be embedded in my heart!  This was a particularly hard year financially for our family and we were not able to afford a Christmas tree.  Well, my mom still made it so special for us as we were preparing to head to Virginia to be with our family.  Just a few days before we left, I went to the grocery store with my mom, and as we left we noticed the leftover Christmas trees that were still out front.  There was one that was very small and didn’t have many branches.  Most people would have laughed at it, but we noticed that it was only $1.99 and my mom said we could get it!  We were so excited!  We took it home, propped it up on a table and decorated it so special!  We still, to this day, call it our “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree”! 

When I was 9 years old we moved away from Virginia where all of our extended family was, so at Christmas, we would travel back and stay with my grandparents.  We would go to my dad’s parent’s house for Christmas Eve with that group and put on shows with singing and acting with my cousins. We would open presents and enjoy that time with them.  Then we would stay at my mom’s parent’s house and all 7 of us slept upstairs.  It was a little cramped, but they are memories I will never forget! Lol! My parent’s had one bedroom and the other bedroom consisted of all 5 of us kids!  Good thing we all liked each other! Haha! My 3 sisters slept in 3 twin beds, my brother on the floor, and me, well, I slept in the baby crib they had in there! Yes, that’s right! Even at 10 years old, I slept, all cramped up in that baby bed!  I used to sleep with a watch and a flashlight because I was so excited to get up early!  I couldn’t wait to wake up Christmas morning and see what Santa had left for me!  When we all got up, the rule was we couldn’t go downstairs until all 7 of us had gone to the bathroom.  What torture! Seven people using one bathroom took an eternity!

After we opened our gifts, my Granny would make breakfast and my Granddaddy would read from the Bible!  Even through all the fun and chaos of Christmas get-togethers, we all settled down and listened as my Granddaddy read to us about the meaning of Christmas!

As a child, I would get caught up in the materialism of Christmas but foundations were being set by my parents & grandparents of what Christmas really was all about.  Not the gift that was wrapped under the tree, but the Gift that came in the form of a baby! That Gift was the Messiah!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

Even before I was born, God knew I needed a Savior and he sent his son! As an adult, it can be easy to get caught up in the materialism of Christmas.  Are there enough presents for everyone? Did I get what everyone wanted? But, as a parent, I want to set the foundations for my kids as well! I want my children to know what the true meaning of Christmas is! 

Oh sweet Lord, forgive me for getting caught up in the chaos!  Christmas is all about YOU!  You are the Reason for the season and all glory goes to YOU and you alone!

My heart is overwhelmed as I sit here this morning and read my Bible! In the quietness of this moment, with the Christmas lights on, I have a love for my Savior that goes beyond any love I could ever have for anyone or anything!  He came for me in the form of a baby and walked on this earth and endured death and the cross only for one purpose…for me (and you)! 

So with a few days left before Christmas, I let go of everything and grasp on to my special Gift…my sweet Savior!  He set the standard for giving and receiving and I will focus on him! My prayer for all of you is the same! May you relish this Christmas in the true meaning and find sweet peace in your wonderful Savior! Enjoy your time with family and friends and together, praise His name! Merry Christmas!

True Love...messy, wonderful, love!

I stood at the front door one night and my teenage daughter burst into laughter as I started clapping and squealing with excitement when I saw my husband pull in the driveway from work! Lol! Yes, I still get butterflies every time I see that man of mine and I also love embarrassing my children! Haha! It was another good opportunity to show my daughter what true love really is and not just what is portrayed on television love stories. 

This is real life. Finding romance and joy in the everyday....

After almost 25 years of marriage Matt and I still cherish every second of our time together! Would we love regular date nights with a quiet dinner and moonlit walk? ABSOLUTELY! But with 2 busy jobs (one that takes him out of the country quite a bit), 3 children, and all the responsibilities of housework, bill paying and homeschooling...we don't always get THOSE dates. Lol! We have learned to get creative in our dating and keep that romantic spark! 😉

One afternoon we spent a romantic date at our local grocery store, shopping together up and down the aisles for our family as we sipped our peppermint white chocolate mochas that we purchased from under the big Golden Arches of the Rocky Point McDonald's drive-thru. 

Now if that doesn't say "love and romance" than I don't know what does! Haha! 

In all honesty, it doesn't matter what we are doing. Spending time with my amazing husband of almost 25 years still brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. 

True love isn't always roses, candlelit dinners, or romantic kisses with soft music playing in the background. It isn't always played out like a Hollywood romance on the big screen with a huge dramatic ending that leaves you feeling all nostalgic and teary-eyed. 

True love is sticking together through the real-life, everyday moments that are often messy and unromantic, thorns and all, with dinners that often come from the drive-thru and the only music playing as you finally get a moment to steal a kiss is the sound of a child yelling, "gross". True love is extending grace and forgiveness through disappointments, persevering through the difficulties of life, highlighting the blessing in each other every day, holding hands as you read scripture together and pray for guidance to navigate parenting and life, seeing true beauty even through expanding waistlines, receding hairlines, & wrinkled faces and recognizing each other as masterpieces from God. 

True love is going through over 24 years of marriage contained of victories and heartaches and realizing that if you had it to do all over again...you wouldn't change a thing! 

Yes...true love. Messy, wonderful, challenging, exciting TRUE LOVE! 

Thank you, precious Lord, for the gift of my husband and the blessing of our marriage! We may not have it all together and some days we may just make a mess of it, but our love is true...and it's real...and we praise YOU for it all! YOU are the center of our marriage and all glory and honor are YOURS!