Remember when we went to “Putt-Putt” on Labor Day for our first date
—and made it a tradition?
I wouldn’t want to play mini-golf every first Monday of September for 30 years (and counting) with anyone else.
The best traditions are always the ones that choose us.
Remember when we walked the cobbled aisle of an autumn garden
—and made it a fairy tale?
The elegant cake crafted with the weathered hands of a Granny who loved well.
And, the Groom’s Cake we ordered that, when sliced, wasn’t chocolate after all. Oops.
The fountain, the butterflies, the harp—the vows under the deep October sky.
Remember when we bought our first house with the avocado appliances on the modest street—and made it a home?
When we didn’t know you couldn’t cover oil-based paint with water-based. (Or that there even was such-a-thing as paint types.) Those walls never did forgive us.
And the time an Oreo commercial convinced us to make a late-night trip to Publix. Back when fast-forwarding commercials wasn’t a thing.
And when we accidentally planted that vine by the front steps and spent every year thereafter pulling it out? I wonder if it’s still there? People with black thumbs should be allowed—exactly no where near—Lowe’s gardening section.
Remember when we set up a nursery in the back room, brought our sky-eyed son home—and made it a family?
The “Elbow” (Elmo) crib mobile, the Pooh Bear curtains, and the music box that still plays its song in the corners of our memory.
The baby boy who loved his stuffed “Puppy.” And the one who loved his books. And the one who loved his dinosaurs. The children for whom we prayed.
The “flesh of our flesh, joy of our joy, life of our love“—all clothed in powder-blue (+ dirt)—hooking our hearts with their smiles forever.
Remember when we spent years moving across creation
—and made it an adventure?
Carolina by way of Florida (again,) by way of Indiana, by way of Kentucky, by way of Connecticut, by way of Indiana (again), by way of Carolina (again + forever-and-ever-amen + please Jesus.)
And all the meals around a family table with the little boys who grew up along the way. How I pray we gave them a Godly foundation.
Remember when we wandered through time’s back door
—and made it a life?
The door inconspicuously marked: “Just another day in paradise.” No fancy placard signifying its importance. Just day upon day upon day of life together—our little party of five—adding up to a lifetime.
Oh for the days of an 8 year old, a 5 year old and a one year old—instead of a 22 year old, a 19 year old and a 15 year old. We had more energy, and less gray then. And no idea the work and joy that’d fill the coming years with the three great lights of our life.
Remember when we promised to grow old together
—and make it a future?
When 50 seemed forever away and Not A Door We’re Knocking On.
When we sit on the front porch and rock to the light of a thousand stars together.
And dream. Of the beach house, the mountain cabin, the grandbabies.
All-the-while knowing full-well we’re living the dream. Every sunrise. Every sunset.
We’re doing it—this growing old together thing.
Thank you for being my best friend, my favorite, my love.
Happy 25th Anniversary. ♥ The best is yet to come.
Thank you, friends, for indulging my side-trip down memory lane today. You’re always so generous with your grace toward me. I’m beyond blessed by the sweet community who gather here. ♥
Congrats to Maree D. for winning last week’s drawing for Micah’s book! It’s a goodie; I read it in a weekend. Hope you love it, Maree!
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LOVE this! Happy Anniversary! May God continue to bless, guide, and strengthen your marriage!
Thank you, friend. ♥
Brenda,
What a beautiful tribute to your marriage. Congratulations are certainly in store….Happy Anniversary! Enjoy some good time reminiscing like you’ve done here today 🙂
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xo
Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Is Control The Antonym Of Love?
Thank you, Bev. xoxo
Brenda~such a sweet posting. Thank you for strolling us down memory lane. Happy Anniversary! You have much to celebrate, friend. ❤️
Thank you, Michele. 🙂
This is the sweetest post! Happy Anniversary, Brenda!
KellyRBaker recently posted…How God Worked on Me While Fasting
Thank you, Kelly. ♥
This was fun to read and I loved learning a little more about you. It made me nostalgic for the best memories in my own marriage.
Thank you, Debbie. ((Hug))
I loved your trip down memory lane, it made me tear up thinking of our journey of 20 years! Thanks for the reminder to look back but also wildly cherish the here and now. Always a pleasure to be #ChasingCommunity with you, Brenda!
Thank you, friend. ♥ Happy 20th to y’all!
Happy Anniversary, Brenda!!I thank the Lord for blessing you and your husband with such beautiful years and that He will give you grace, good health, and long life together .
So glad to link up here . Thank you for that opportunity as well
Diana
Diana recently posted…7 ADMIRABLE QUALITIES EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST CHOOSE TO EMBODY
Thank you, Diana. 🙂
What a sweet tribute to your 25 wonderful years.
And I learned that our kids are approximately the same age, and both of our “babies” are 15!
Michele Morin recently posted…The Problem of Belonging: Jayber Crow Discussion Group (6)
Thank you, Michele. Yay for 15 year old baby boys. ♥
Beautiful memories Brenda! Thank you for sharing your heart and home with us. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary. My 30th anniversary is next month and I’m feeling so sentimental! The nostalgia and the memories are flooding my thoughts and my heart. Thank you for reminding me what matters most!
Robin recently posted…I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU
Thank you, Robin. And Happy 30th to y’all next month! 🙂
This is such a beautiful post- I love all the memories you shared! Happy Anniversary, Brenda!
Lesley recently posted…Carried To The Table
Thank you, Lesley. xoxo
Brenda,
Love your walk down memory lane. Praying you continue to make wonderful memories for another 25 plus years <3
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry Stahl recently posted…Defeating Anxiety By Counting Your Blessings
Thank you, friend. ♥
What a beautiful tribute to your marriage. Happy Anniversary! Quite an accomplishment, I am sure with lots of good memories and bit of hard work.
Maree Dee recently posted…How to Rest in the Midst of the Unexpected?
Thank you, Maree. ((Hug))
Oh what a beautiful ode to your marriage, Brenda. Ah yes, I remember those avacado appliances well …
Blessings to you and your man as you walk hand in hand into the next season.
Linda Stoll recently posted…31 Days * A Sampler Bouquet
Thank you, friend. 🙂
Blinking back tears, my friend. Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many, many more Labor Day Putt-Putt dates! 🙂
Awe, thank you, Lois. 😀
I love every single detail you shared here, Brenda! What a beautiful tapestry of memories. Happy anniversary to you, sweet friend!
Sarah Geringer recently posted…The Abundant Life, Part 2
Thank you, Sarah. ♥
I remember our “Remember Whens!”. I love this post and what it means. Happy anniversary to you and much more.
nylse recently posted…And Still, Be Still
Thank you, Nylse. 🙂
Happy Anniversary!!!!
Thank you, Meg! 🙂
Happy 25th Anniversary, Brenda! Jeff and I just celebrated our 25th as well (Sept 4). 1992 was a great year to get married. 🙂 Hope you have many more wonderful years to come!
Lisa notes recently posted…How to Mark the Moment – Intro {Series}
Thank you, Lisa. And Happy 25th to y’all too. Yay for 1992 weddings. 😀
Happy Anniversary!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Friday Frivolity – Food Truck Edition
Thank you! 🙂
beautiful. I better start listing – 30th in three months. made me choke up a little and that’s a good thing!
Happy almost 30th to y’all, Sue. That’s wonderful. 🙂
So sweet, Brenda! This put a big smile on my face : ) (And may have inspired a sappy text to my own personal favorite and love!)
Awe. Love that, Bethany. 🙂 Thanks for popping by. 🙂
Congratulations, Brenda and husband! Loved your remember whens. I’m going to have to do that at our next anniversary, our 33rd! Your youngest is 15! Wow! I think you had him with you when we met in person at a Panera.