23 Years

23 Years ago I said "I do".

At the age of 17, I had no idea what I was saying "I do" to.

But I did and I'm so thankful.

We have beat the odds...All by God's grace.

I can truly say he is the love of my life and

my best friend.

We have had quite a journey since that day in August 1988.

Just a few weeks later, we became parents.

Again, it's all by God's grace our girls have become the young women they are today.

We have done so much to mess them up.

So thankful for the Lord intervening in our lives and putting us on a new path.

That path has been amazing.

It's taken us places I would have never expected or even chosen.

But wherever the Lord leads him, I'm gonna follow.

I could share much about our last 23 years together but instead, 

I'm gonna share what our youngest had to say about our marriage.

~Having my children rise up and called me blessed is the greatest gift I could ever receive~

This is what she wrote:

Dear Daddy and Momma,

    As soon as I saw this card, I thought of y'all.  Thank y'all for always showing me what a true "in love" couple should look like and act like.  One glance at the two of you and anyone would know that y'all were obviously made for each other, but watching y'alls relationship grow throughout the years has made me realize how special a marriage is.  Through Christ y'all have a love that is forever and true and I am so blessed to have parents that are not only in love with each other, but most importantly in love with Jesus Christ!  I pray that I will be able to have this kind of love one day in a marriage.  Y'all are a beautiful example of what true love is through Christ.  Happy Anniversary!

Love Y'all,

Lauren

To have my daughters want to have what we have, to be like us...what they've seen lived out before them day in and day out.....well,  that's it for me!

 I'm smiling.  Big time.  :) 

Especially, from our sweet Lauren, who at one time in her life did not value the importance of a Christ-centered relationship... Man! God is so good!!

The card alone was enough for me but she even treated us to a date!

How awesome is that? 

When I was a little girl and would think about my "Happily Ever After"....

Even in my wildest dreams I never pictured it this amazing!

It truly does get sweeter and sweeter and I pray the Lord allows us to get

 old and gray and wrinkly together.

"By the grace of God I am what I am, 

and His grace towards me was not in vain,"

1 Corinthians 15:10

Stephanie :)

Nick's Bride

Linking up with Rachel today.