Thankful For :: 431 - 440 (The Anniversary Edition)

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

* * * Psalms 1 * * *

Eleven years ago today, Peter and I stood in front of our minister and heard him read Psalms 1 - the third and final time for Psalms 1 because we were finally getting married. It was a nice wedding - or so I've been told. I was, apparently, totally zoned out and just ready for it to be over so we could move on with normal life. Over the years, we've come to the conclusion that wedding festivities are really more for friends and family than they are for the bride and groom. Although our wedding was quite simple (I mean, we made our own wedding cakes for goodness sake!), if I came across a sweet DeLorean (outfitted with a flux capacitor, of course), I would go back eleven years and do a couple of things differently...

1) Small wedding (immediate family, and possibly a few close friends) in my parent's yard
2) Take the rest of the money and go on a really nice 2-3 week honeymoon (Hawaii or Europe)

But that's not how we did it, and it was a lovely day and people did have a good time, and despite my out-of-it state, we were married and have enjoyed eleven years of wedded bliss. So it's all good. We've had eleven years of fun and laughter, even during the hard times, and I can't imagine living my life with anyone else.

This week I'm thankful for...

431. Finding a guy who would suggest that I stuff myself in a bag so he could carry me around the house and take pictures...priceless!

432. Marrying a man who isn't afraid to wear many hats in this life

433. Finding a mate who encourages me to do things that are outside of my comfort zone

434. Living with a man who has the patience of a saint when trying to teach me about engines, cars, construction, electrical stuff, etc.

435. Having a companion who enjoys traveling as much as I do and who is always ready for a road trip

436. Finding a spouse who actually enjoys cooking - I am so blessed!

437. Getting to hang out with my best friend (really and truly my best friend) every single day

438. Being the wife of a man who actually enjoys being with me, who doesn't bad mouth me to other guys, who stands up for me when necessary, and who doesn't feel the need to have "guy time" to get away from the "old lady" - Yoda would say, "Much blessed, you are." Yes indeed.

439. Marrying someone who has helped me discover foods I didn't know I liked and pushed me to try things I never would have in the past, only to discover yumminess I didn't know I was missing.

440. Meeting a man who was able to convince me that I didn't need to experience the world single before being content to experience the world married. Getting married at 18 isn't for everyone, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made and I haven't regretted it for one moment. God knew - far better than I did - what I needed, and I'm forever grateful to Him for bringing Peter into my life.

    

L-R: Showing our mutual tongue talents, eating Chick-fil-A before the wedding, relaxing during pictures

One of my favorite photos of the day

Happy 11th Anniversary, Peter - I love you.

If you would like to read our whole friendship-turned-courtship-turned-marriage story, you can find it under the "The Story of Us" tab on the sidebar, or by clicking HERE.