Happy Anniversary to Me!

Thirteen years ago today I married Elaine. Thirteen Years!

Elaine had actually proposed to me the previous February of that leap year 1992, though we did not set a date. She had been divorced for what I consider biblical reasons, and her little boy Tony was 18 months old when we met.

I was 28 years old, and while I had always hoped to be married I had become accustomed to living alone in many respects. Not that I liked living alone, but it was what I knew. The Lord was with me, but I had not much human company and God knew my heart.

April 29, 1992 I went to work and stopped at the time clock. I turned around and left to find a pay phone. I called Elaine and asked her to meet me for lunch late that morning at Ryan's.

I have always had a habit of acting impulsively. It's not a habit that I am proud of, and often times causes me a great deal of second guessing and regret. That morning in Ryan's I told Elaine if she wanted to marry me we should do it that night at church after our regular service. It was spontaneous, and I did not think of some of the thoughts it would cause in peoples minds ( NO NO NO -she was not pregnant!!!).

We loved each other and if we were going to do marry I wanted it done! I didn't want to just think about getting married anymore. We got our rings, got our license, called our Pastor, and were married that very night after church.

Thirteen years later we still love each other, that little boy is a 6'2" sophomore in high school , and our beautiful daughter will be 10 years old next month. Money is tight, and we are constantly too busy. Life is flying by, and I feel ill prepared for much of it, knowing only that God sees us and knows my steps and what we have need of.

And I know at least one impulsive act 13 years ago that I do not second guess, nor would I change it. I am no longer alone, and I go to sleep every night in a home with people I love more than I can express.

I am a blessed man.