Today marks the twentieth anniversary that my beloved wife has had to put up with me. I know I haven’t always been the easiest to live with over the years, but God has truly blessed me with you. You have blessed me with four wonderful children and a lifetime of memories.
My brother John was my best man and kept me mostly under control that day. He bought me a yo-yo as a gift to keep me occupied. Learned how to walk the dog that day. The sermon had a story in it about how to get along with other kindergartners in the sandbox and related that to how you can get through a marriage. Don’t remember the details, but know that the best way to make a marriage long-lasting is to remember that a marriage is an image of Christ and the Church. You have to practice repentance and forgiveness often. And don’t be afraid to let your kids see it in action.
A couple other notes about that day…
- We were the last couple to be married in the old sanctuary at Carmel Lutheran Church. Last time I looked, the altar we stood before now has a basketball rim, though this may have changed. I haven’t been in that room in a while.
- There were three other couples that were married around the same time. We were all in the same young adult group and were close friends.
- The music that we had in our wedding would not be allowed in any marriage that I would perform today. I don’t remember exactly what they were (I’ll have to watch the video again tonight), but the last time I saw the video I remember thinking they didn’t put Christ as the center of the marriage.
- The gifts I gave to all the groomsmen were tennis shoes. I hated the rentals that came with the tux and got them so that I could change shoes for the reception.
- The reception was a buffet meal with an open bar. The bartender must have thought me a lush. I must have gone up for twenty or so beers. Thing is, I probably didn’t have but two or three beers the whole night. They must have assigned someone to grab the beer the minute I set it down. Take a sip, then a quick picture and, “Hey, who took my beer?”
- Our honeymoon was in Hawaii. Was absolutely beautiful there. Almost lost my ring in the sand the first day. We were supposed to go snorkeling, but there was an earthquake on the West Coast that week and the waves didn’t allow us to go into the cove. Still enjoyed seeing dolphins and whales from the rubber boat, though. The helicopter tour was awesome and the Mai Thais were fresh and delicious.
Speaking of Hawaii, we were planning on going back for our fifth anniversary. By then I was at the seminary with two kids and a third on the way. “We’ll go at our tenth” we said. Then I was in my second parish, with four kids and things just didn’t work out. We still haven’t made it back, but still hope to do so some day. Maybe the twenty-fifth!
Carolyn, I love you more now than I did twenty years ago! May God continue to bless our union for another twenty or forty years!
