33 and Counting

33 years ago I was a nervous bride praying to get through her wedding without making some sort of goofy mistake, such as tripping over the train of my dress, or getting a coughing fit during my vows. Am I the only one who worried about stuff like that?

I can remember thinking that being married 10 years is a very long time.

33 years later, it doesn't seem all that long to me!

When I met my husband, I had been praying to meet a Christian to date. God answered my prayer by arranging for me to meet Jim. It was love at first sight! Seven months later we were married.

Some debate whether immediate true love really happens. I do think that most of the time what we call love at first sight is really infatuation. What happens after you meet and fall in love determines whether it is true love or not: do you commit to each other to stay together no matter what happens?

In other words, do you live your vows? It is one thing to say that you will love for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health. How about when that really happens? What if it is poorer and sickness that is your lot in life? (Sad to say, sometimes people get the richer and health part of life and their marriages still can't make it ...)

I believe that it boils down to whether you are a man (or woman) of your word or not. For us, divorce is not an option. We're in it "for the long haul."

So happy anniversary to my best friend, lover and "good buddy," Jim. Thank you for all you do to take care of me. Thanks for all the times you make me laugh! I appreciate everything. I look forward to being a little old couple together -- of course, that is waaaay down the road!