Till There Was You -- Happy Anniversary, My Love!

Bear with me again, please as I reflect on this day, July 8th. I will always post about this special, picture-perfect day when my sweet man and I became husband and wife. We held strong for this day -- for over five years -- and then, the wait was over. What took us so long? I needed to graduate high school before we got married. LOL! My Mom had to consent and sign for me as I was still a minor, at age 17. Some said, "It will never last!" I'm pleased to say we proved them wrong.

It was a wedding-on-a-budget. My precious mother somehow managed to have just enough for us to have everything we needed. My uncle walked me down the aisle (my dad was in heaven) and my brother sang our song, "Till There Was You". I wore my sister's wedding dress. My bridesmaids paid for their own dresses. The ceremony was officiated by my father-in-law in the church he pastored. The two items that cost the most for our wedding were the flowers and the cake. Our honeymoon wasn't at an exclusive 5-Star location -- it was Lake Texoma Lodge.

And, as I type this post, I assure you.....it didn't take big expense, extravagance, explosive fanfare, or perfection to create these precious memories that I still have today. I'm remembering what mattered most on this day. Two kids who knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that they were meant to be -- that they were tying a knot that would last through eternity -- that they were in true love that would stand the test of time.

What is it that causes "until death do us part" to be the deciding factor that creates an unquenchable, inseparable, unwavering and unrelenting love that knows no end? I'm not saying that there were never hiccups along the way or many times having reasons to walk away from the pressure and strain of "making it work". But our vows said, "For better or worse" (and, believe you me....we had some "worst of times") and "For richer or poorer" (Lord have mercy -- we had some mighty poor seasons) and "In sickness and health" (we both knew "sickness") and "Until death do us part". Those were our promises to each other and our vows before God.....and they stuck in the good times and the bad times. I am saying.....tough times don't last...but tough people who have God as NUMERO UNO in the mix of literally everything that concerns them.....is what sustains, equips, and remains forever true.

My Sweetheart isn't here with me today, but those "Till There Was You" song words hold true. The bells are still ringing, the birds are still winging, and the music is still singing in this heart of mine. What was it that mattered most then? What is it that matters most today? The ONE common denominator -- God, Who blessed us with 44 years together on earth, and these 52 years, is still the ONE who blesses me today. He is the ONE who continues to "ring my bells", causes me to see birds winging and each day causes my heart to sing". Spending FOREVER with Him AND my Sweetheart will be awesome.....and FOREVER is a long, long time.