On August 1, Ginger and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary. We celebrated in the Wisconsin Dells, where we ate cheese at a couple of different cheese shops.
Ten great years of marriage to the one I love. Ginger and I met on her very first day of college (that’s a story I’ll save for another time), but our love didn’t begin to blossom until a few months later. We dated for nearly 3 years, even spending almost one full year apart. These 13 years have proven to be so rewarding and exciting - in spite of the many moves (8 total), personal setbacks and trials, and family issues.
What makes our marriage work and continue to be purposeful? It is firmly grounded in our relationship with God, allowing Him to develop us individually, as well as together. Obviously we’re not perfect, but what couple is? After all these years, we still love hanging out, laughing (mostly Ginger laughing at me), going on trips, maintaining playful attitudes, and serving in ministry together. Every day provides another great memory, experience, and feeling that keeps our love strong.
Recently a good friend said this to his wife: “I don’t need [other things] in my life to make my relationship with you better…I just need you.” I feel exactly the same way about Ginger: I don’t need anything else in my life to make my relationship with her better. With a commitment to love God first, my love for Ginger is honest, true, faithful, and unconditional. I can forgive with His forgiveness. I can forget with His memory. I can love with His heart. I pursue her with the same fervor as God pursues me. When I lose focus on my first love (God), I lose focus on my second love (Ginger).
When I hear of people divorcing, I become sad. I am sad because of the pain that is being created in the lives of the couple (and the children). I am sad because joy was lost, fun has disappeared, purpose has given way to selfishness, and, most of the time, a relationship with God is deteriorating. I think of the hard times in our marriage - when both of us may have wanted to give up, when it would have been easier to pack up and leave, or when the arguing never seemed to lead to resolve. And I am nearly brought to tears thinking of the pain that would have been caused by either person pulling the plug. Through it all, I see how God’s hand was guiding and directing, leading and motivating, healing and restoring us to seek Him first. Our trials brought us closer, not farther apart. They bound us together because we would have nothing without the other person, and our total commitment to loving God.
Thank you, Ginger, for never giving up or throwing in the towel. Thank you for your constant love, devotion, and dedication - not to me only - but to God. I am grateful for your love and friendship. Also, many thanks to our family and friends who helped us grow, learn to love during hard times, and set examples for us to emulate. We love you.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next 10+ years!