Our story

Today is special!! Hubs and I have been married 1700 days!!!!! Whoo hoo! Happy anniversary to us! I know today isn't the typical yearly anniversary most people celebrate, and we celebrate those too. But why not celebrate more often getting to be married to your best friend? We've had hurtful days, and we've had joyful days. I don't regret any of them. Eric is my very favorite person in the whole world, best friend, and my biggest encourager.


I prayed a long time for Eric. Not in the way you think most little girls pray for the "perfect" prince charming from the time they know what being married means. No, I actually wasn't sure I wanted to get married. My parents divorced when I was young, and still don't have the best relationship with each other. And other than a few rare glimpses at other married couples that seemed semi content, I had never seen anyone actually act like they LIKED each other. How sad, huh? And definitely not something I wanted to endure.


No, my prayers for Eric started much later than most girls. I had seen him a few times previous, but met him the first time when I was 23 years old. We were at church, and I made a random comment to him, and embarrassed myself, and wished I'd never said anything :). A few months later, a friendship started. My whole life had changed in the weeks prior, and I was totally focused on giving my whole heart and life to Jesus Christ. The Lord sent me Eric to encourage me and guide me. A few weeks later, he mentioned he would marry me one day, and I was completely horrified. Oh my. Maybe I should tell him I was NOT planning to get married? I figured he would decide pretty soon I probably wasn't the girl for him anyway, so I just didn't say anything. But over the next few weeks and months, I watched him. I watched everything about him. How he treated me, how he treated others. Did his actions back up his words, even when he didn't know anyone was watching? Could I make a mistake, and him handle it with kindness? What if he made a mistake? Would he admit and apologize, or blame someone else? I WATCHED! And I found he was himself always. And he made me smile and laugh. Something I hadn't done in a very long time.


So, I started praying for him. I mean, really praying. I prayed the Lord would keep him from falling. I prayed the Lord would protect him. I prayed a lot of very personal prayers regarding him. And then, one day, before I realized what had happened, I loved this boy. I wanted to be around him every chance I could. And I wanted to spend my life with him.


So, I started praying about that, too. Then, things got sticky. Situations came up that were hurtful. Opposition came in least expected ways. My heart broke. His heart broke. I was so very confused. So, I just kept praying. And he prayed with me. And, just when i thought the Lord had not heard us, things changed :).


We went hiking for my birthday, and had so much fun! At the Chimney Tops in the Smokey Mountains, there are little waterfalls along the entire hike. Then, you have to kind of scale a rock to get to the top and see the amazing view. Once up there, he started pulling out all my favorite snacks for a picnic. Then, he started talking very serious. And when he prayed with me, he slipped something on my finger and asked me to marry him! Whaaaaaaatttt?!? I had just given up. I had just told the Lord i would still love Him, regardless of how things turned out. I had prayed for 6 long years for Eric. What was happening? Jesus had heard. And He had answered.

So, we got married, started a family, and moved into our little cabin. I couldn't be more content than i am now. Do we still have challenges? Yes. Hard days? Yes. Things that hurt and we wish were different? Yes. But, we KNOW we are exactly where Jesus placed us. We are living His calling for our lives, and no matter what storms may come, we're in it together <3.


So, today, on our 1700 day anniversary (that's 4 years,  7 months, and 25 days), we are celebrating. Because why wait ALL the way until March every single year? I love him today. And I am excited to be his wife today :).


How long have you been married?