Today marks an extraordinary milestone: the 30th anniversary of our marriage. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and awe for the divine grace that has sustained us through three decades of love, trial, challenge, and commitment.
Thirty years ago, we stood before God, family, and friends on a hot summer day in west Nashville, pledging to love and cherish each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Little did we know the incredible journey that lay ahead, a journey illuminated by laughter, love, sweat, tears, and the blessing of our 14 children.
In those early days, we faced open resistance and hostility from family members who doubted our union, questioned our choices, and did everything possible to prevent our happiness and marriage. These challenges tested our resolve and faith, teaching us the powerful lesson of the importance of companionship, fortitude, and forgiveness. Forgiving those who never apologized required immense strength and grace, but it freed us to build a life based on love, not resentment.
We spent our honeymoon in a Uhaul, driving from Nashville to Davis-Monthan AFB to establish our home in a dark one-bedroom apartment. I went to school at night, worked a second job and deployed around the world while you nurtured #1 and #2.
That was just the beginning of a marathon of unwavering dedication, boundless love, and enduring patience.
Our marriage is a song of fire and ice, joy and sorrow, strength and vulnerability, hope and forgiveness. We’ve faced trials that … Read the rest