Anniversary Bells

Today's a special day. Umpteen years ago my Great Grandparents were married. This Great Grandmother of mine was very dear to me; I was born on her 70th birthday. Blessedly, I had a handful or two of years to celebrate with her and form a special bond.

Fast forward to 2000; Benjamin and I got engaged and we set our date.  Unknowingly at the time we chose the same day that they did to say our "I do's." I think it was Gr. Grandma Zelma's way of showing approval for our young love. I adore little coincidences like that popping up.It adds a certain sweet indulgence to the taste of life.

Here's a picture from our wedding day, December 8th 2001:

We look so very young. And truth is, we were. Me - 19, Ben - 21.  But, we had already been a couple for five years. True high school sweethearts. Marriage was the exciting next step since we knew we already wanted to walk the path to living hand in hand. 5 years later we welcomed our first child; eighteen months later our second child; then our newest and last wee one came after a bit of a break from the first two.

We've learned so much as we have grown with one another and grown with our children. Ups and downs, every marriage has them - but we've weathered them and come out on the stronger side each time. I look at that picture of my husband, so youthful and willing to commit his life to me. I can see him now from across the room. He's filled out from the scrawniness of boyhood and grown into a man. His hands and knuckles that have held our babies, loved my body, and worked to provide an income for our family are worn and weathered from physical labor. His hair has thinned to voluntary shaving baldness. He has crows feet at the corners of his eyes now; hopefully for each time I've made him laugh or smile. He still smells the same to me. That certain fragrance that I can bury my nose into his neck and get a whiff of that tells me I'm home. I guess what I am trying to articulate is with experience, the ticking away of time, and for better or worse - he is more beautiful to me every passing year.

So, thank you God. Thank you for sending me the right mate. Thank you for giving us whatever time we have together. May it please be long and lasting. Thank you husband for being the man you are, the man you will yet become, and for loving me back. Happy Anniversary to the Beards.