Silver Anniversary

October 11th, 1985 - It had only been 13 days since I'd turned 19 years old, but there I was, putting on a black sports coat I'd borrowed from my brother, Donnie. I'd rented a white shirt and cumberbund from the formal shop, and I was trying to make my pieced together outfit look like a tux. It didn't, but I'm not sure I was aware of it at the time. There were so many things missing from a day such as this. There were no candles or music...no glowing church aisle lined with flowers, no cake, and almost completely absent was the shared joy that such an event typically inspires from family and friends. Despite all of the missing elements, we had one precious thing that has proven so rare in our time. It is written that when two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is in their midst. We started our lives together with the most honored of Guest...the Lord, Himself.

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Today marks 25 years since that humble beginning. When I look back at this piece of life, I'm overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Bobbi and I have spent an Air Force career together that moved us to Nebraska, Texas, Georgia, and Charleston, SC. We've known the joys of bringing three children into the world in three of those four states. We've watched with pride as our daughter, Kristin, has grown into a beautiful lady with the sweetest of hearts. We've shared the anguish upon learning that our son, Marcus, would never speak due to his severe autism. Dealing with the challenges of his autism has had a profound, life-changing effect on us individually, and as a couple. Still, I'm grateful for the perspective the experience has taught us. We learned how to love without having that love returned, we learned patience and humility, and we learned how to lean on each other, and most importantly, how to lean on Jesus. Out of hardship, we reaped precious benefit, and a shared life with one of the sweetest of God's children. When we learned of Nathan's autism, we were encouraged not to fear, because we personally knew by experience the One who has numbered our days and carefully ordered our steps. And, what a joy and blessing he has been to our lives. God has given me so much through him. I've written so many blogs about the times spent with him in father-son outings and the like. The three of them have bound us wonderfully together, filling our lives with joy and shaping our hearts.

Finally, I offer these words as a tribute to that beautiful soul that has become such a part of me as to be indistinguishable from my very own self. Bobbi is truly flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. It is not because of my wisdom in choosing a mate, that I have such a beautiful, loving and God-honoring wife, but by God's grace alone. God knew me while I was yet in my mother's womb, and he knew me when I thought I could make a sports coat and bow tie look like a tux. :) He chose this woman for me before I was born into this world, and I thank God for her and for the life He has given me. To not make this anniversary a tribute to Him, would be most unfitting. For Bobbi, my wife of 25 years, I celebrate and give thanks.

From Proverbs 31:

10 Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,

so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax,

and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships;

she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,

and giveth meat to her household,

and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:

with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:

her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,

and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household:

for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22S he maketh herself coverings of tapestry;

her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,

when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;

and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing;

and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,

and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously,

but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.