Happy Anniversary, Honey.

Once upon a time, just two weeks into dating, a man said to a woman, “I hope this doesn’t sound strange or doesn’t scare you off, but I think you’re the one I’ve been praying for my whole life.” Then something even crazier happened. The woman replied, “You know, strangely, it doesn’t. Actually, I feel the same way about you.”

And the rest was history. The foolish young couple had a fast and furious romance, hastily planned and had a wedding, got pregnant after one year of marriage, had a baby, bought a house, had a second child a year after that, and a third another few years after that. They had abundant but busy, stressful lives that occupied more of their energy and focus than it seemed they could afford at times. But somehow, God saw them through it all and blessed them like He does – with new mercies every morning.

Happy to say, they’re still alive and kicking/surviving…one hour at a time. And just hours ago, the couple shared this beautiful text exchange.

Sometimes this is what marriage can look like in Year X. I’m not gonna pretend it’s perfect. Nor am I gonna exaggerate its flaws. It’s marriage. It’s a commitment. And often, it’s more action than feeling, more “love” than “in love.” And sometimes, it’s neither my love nor his love – but God’s love – that holds us together, that shows us how to serve, how to forgive, how to honor and respect, how to give in or give up, how to tag-team, how to co-parent, how to refrain, how to act, how to apologize, how to pray.

Because I have a God who can do all things, I believe that He can and will make our marriage stronger and better than it is today, just as He made it better today than it was yesterday. And because I have a husband who, like me, is human, proud, foolish and flawed, I will try to be patient while God does His work in us, separately and together.

Just this morning, I was reading the most beautiful and touching tribute between another husband and wife, each of whose love and gratitude for one another and for God has clearly grown stronger with time. The husband wrote,

On this day…will my Friends and Family please join me in wishing my Wife, my Friend, my Confidant and our First Lady of (3) wonderful Children a Happy Birthday! My God descended on a day like this, the heavens cried for what they would miss, as you are an angel like no other, beautiful inside and out is what I have discovered. I was lucky to have fond you first, and even luckier as we fell in love which made me the happiest man on earth. I knew on that special day when we tied the knot, I know what I asked for and knew what I got. I pledged to keep you safe and sound, for you are the best and sincerest WIFE that a man could have ever found! I wish you nothing but joy in your every day and sending you all my love on this special day…”

She lovingly responded,

On our wedding day I remember saying that I know God is real because he put you in my life. We have had ups and downs, good times and bad…but after seven years of marriage I can still look in your eyes and see the power of the amazing God that brought us together. I’m grateful beyond words at how you have gone out of your way to make me feel special on my birthday. You are the best gift I could have ever received and I will continue to thank God for you every day of my life. Thank you for sharing another year of my life with me, and I look forward to many more.”

How could such love not melt the hearts of all who read this exchange? But more so, how could it not melt the heart of the One who made them, who brought them together, who holds them together still? And why would He not bless their marriage all the more when they only glorify Him through their love and gratitude?

I am so grateful for how God makes us, for what marriage can and should be, for the love and hope that can only come by Him. My prayer is that DH and I too will see and know God better in part because of what and who we see in one another, that we will always be grateful for what we’ve had, have, and will have, and that we too can bless and glorify God through our union. Any day and every day.

Happy Anniversary, honey. I’d say, “We got this.” But we know better. “God’s got this.”