Jess' Reality: Happy 9th Anniversary

Nine years ago today I married my best friend. Joe and I have always considered ourselves very lucky because we have always had each other. We never had to do the dating scene or get our hearts broken by dozens of people. Somehow in a class of only 70 something he and I never met until 7th grade, even though he had been there since kindergarten and I since 3rd grade. We both instantly knew that we had a connection. Since the beginning we have been each other’s biggest cheerleaders going to football games, baseball games, softball games, graduations, work events, church leadership, and the list goes on. We have been there for each other through ups and downs, and know that we can truly depend on the other. We can make each other laugh and tell the other our darkest secrets. I, in no way, am saying that these past nine years (well actually 17) have been easy because they haven’t. We are human and we fight and disagree and do not always see eye to eye, but somehow through it all we have chosen each other and hold fast to the vows we made nine years ago. “Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her/him, forsaking all others and holding only unto her/him.”
Since May 11, 2002, we have added three beautiful children to our family. We were both there as each one entered our lives. We held each other and cried together as we gazed in awe and wonder at the beautiful blessings that God had given us. We have become a team as we parent our children trying to instill in them good Christian values. We have made sacrifices for our family and because of it all we are stronger. Our goal has always been to be the other’s rock. Sometimes we have succeeded, but at least in the times when we both couldn’t be strong, we had each other. We love to get lost together and never fear because we know we will always find the right way. We love to play and have fun with each other and the children. We respect each other and love each other with a deep rooted love. We were good friends before we were anything more and because of that we stand on a firm foundation. On the days when we don’t feel “in love,” we at least can see some glimmer of the love we share. We have experienced so much together and have already shared so much of our lives together. Beside childhood memories almost all of my memories include Joe. Our school days, summers playing on the lake, church camps, school dances and proms, our senior cruise, our graduation, what little college we both took, our wedding day and honeymoon, mini vacations, our first house, our second house, our children, weekend excursions, and the list could go on and on.
In our fast paced world we sometimes do not take the time to express to the people we love how much we love them. There are so many things I love about Joe. He is a hard worker and fast learner; he is an amazing father and loves all children, not just his own; he is kind and has a heart of gold; he helps anyone he can; he has shared his passion for hunting and fishing with the girls; he has become a leader in our church and a Sunday School teacher; he makes me laugh and smile; he loves my family as his own; and again the list could go on and on. All that to say, I thank God for allowing us to meet and fall in love. I thank God for being with us nine years ago as we vowed and promised to love each other and to stick with each other no matter the storm we may face. I thank God for each day that Joe and I are allowed to spend together. I thank God for the man that Joe is and continues to be. I pray that God will continue to be a part of our marriage and that he will continue to bless it and our family.
I look forward to growing old with Joe, raising our children, watching them graduate, marry and have children of their own. I look forward to the day when we have grandchildren and can enjoy our family as it grows and grows.

Ephesians 5: 28-33: In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

Mark 10:9: Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

Pictures of us through the years. (Some of these were taken from an old scrapbook so that is why they are in shapes.
Highschool: