10 years ago today…

…Dave & I did this!  We made it legal until the cold clammy hands of death separate us!

I wish that I had not been sick for the past two completely miserable days or I’d have the energy to write out what I remember about May 20, 2000.

I’ll sum it up by saying that I woke up at 5:30am that morning after not very much sleep.  I remember anticipating what life would be like now that I was GETTING MARRIED, moving from Detroit to Kalamazoo, graduating from Wayne State & starting my new life on staff with InterVarsity.  So, clearly when I woke up I went to the hotel lobby and started balling my eyes out in joyous holy fear.

I remember that despite how tired I was that day -it was my fourth night of not sleeping- I was totally relaxed and didn’t mind when things went wrong although not much did.

(Okay, I do remember my mom and sisters being late for pictures, our friends toddler Alayna running up the aisle during the ceremony, Alayna almost destroying the wedding cake & me not liking my make-up or how the flower lady did the arrangements).  Even those things didn’t really bother me though.  Ironically enough, I was not Bridezilla with an unrealistic expectation that everything would be magically perfect.

My sis Yvonne, my Ma & sis, Danielle

I remember how peaceful our wedding was.  We laughed a lot.  I sang him a song and though I was off key the moment was beautiful.  I remember him getting teary-eyed when he saw me walk-in.  I remember how incredible it was to have The Voices of Western Michigan University Gospel Choir sing “Total Praise.” I remember the beautiful prayer of my Godfather, John Crowder for us.  I remember jumping the broom & how much higher and farther I jumped than Dave & everyone laughed.

It was a great day and you know what?  I didn’t know what-THE-CRAP I was getting myself into.  I remain to this day, very committed to telling the truth about marriage: it’s flippin’ hard.  Crazy. Difficult. Challenging. Rewarding. Beautiful.

I think if Dave & I hadn’t worked so hard for the joy we have over these last 10 years it wouldn’t be so momentous and wonderful to reach a milestone as this.  Like most couples (or maybe not considering a lot of folks throw in the towel by now) we’ve had many up’s and very significant downs.  But, we are solidly committed to this life together -whether good or crappy- so we may as well work hard and make it great, eh?

It’s been a heck of a journey, Dave.  I’m so glad I chose to do this journey with you & would do it a million times over the exact same way.

It’s a journey that wouldn’t have ended well, without God.  Without our faith, we would be goners.  We feel like God is extremely interested in helping us make our marriage work –not just surviving– but thriving.  We owe it to God, we really do.  Where would be without the Lord?  Man oh man, I don’t even want to know.

So, what did we do today?  Not a whole lot.  I have been so. very. sick. today.  I spent a tremendous amount of energy today going to Ransom’s pre-school graduation, then sleeping.  For dinner, Dave surprised me with one of my favorite books (I’ve never owned) and now I’m hoping to be in bed with a little Thera-Flu by 10:20pm.

Not to worry, we were able to miraculously take a 10 year wedding anniversary vacay to Cancun last March, & we had such a GREAT time. Seriously, it was a very fitting vacation for our life stage (worn out, tired, two small kids, etc.), it was to this day, the BEST vacation I have ever had.

Happy 10th babe, your the best!

Here’s to 10 x 10 more!