Today is our 9th wedding anniversary.  9 years!  And what a 9 years it has been!  There have been really high highs and some really low lows.  But, I think that is what marriage and relationship is all about.  It’s been a great 9 years!Here is a quote I still love that was on our wedding program:

How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in home, one in desire, in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice…  Nothing divides them either in flesh or spirit…  They pray together, they worship together, they fast together, instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another.  Side by sie they visit God’s church and partake of God’s banquet; side by side they face difficulties and persection, share their consolations.  They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other’s company.  To such as these He gives His peace where there are two together, there also He is present.     ~Tertullian

Good stuff, right?  And marriage is just good stuff.  I love they way God has made us for one another.  And it’s just a glimpse of how much God loves us and provides for us.  It’s a beautiful thing.

This really is my favorite picture from the day.  It’s a view I didn’t get to have myself.  But I love getting to see it.  I love the intimacy of the moment.  I love the warmth that’s given.  I love being surrounded by the people we love and call family.  And I love that so many of these same people are still in our lives encouraging us onto greater things.

I remember the excitement and preparation of that day.  It was months of preparation, joyful preparation.  It was entering into something that I didn’t know exactly what it would look like, but I knew the person I was entering into it with and I could hold fast to that.  And I see it that way with the Lord.  I am now to be joyfully preparing myself & His church for Him.  And our relationship with Him is good, not predictable.  But we can so hold fast to the goodness of God, walk each step with Him, trusting His love and protection.

I am so thankful for Gabe.  I am so thankful for the man God is making him to be.  He truly is a great husband and a wonderful father.  I love His heart for the Lord and his commitment to hear from Him and do the right thing.  He’s a blessing to me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  I am not the same person today that I was 9 years ago.  I really believe I know myself deeper and can love better because of my marriage.   And I thank God for His provisions!