I've watched this man fulfill his vow of 25 years ago to "love {me} as Christ loves the church." Mike has served his family, through hard work to provide for us, through endless read alouds, pitching in when he can see I'm overwhelmed, releasing me to minister to women, and above all being mindful of his responsibility to shepherd his family as well as his flock.
I have come to respect and love this man so much that one of my prayers for my daughters is that they some day meet a man who will love, cherish and nurture them, just as their father has me.
We've had good times and bad times, as all marriages do. A few things I've learned over the years:
- love is a choice
- love is about service, commitment and loyalty
- love is a verb - an action word
- Forget the 50/50 thing and give 100% - you won't out give love
- Be quiet and let your husband hear God's voice
- Speak up when God tells you to (um - you'd best be listening to God)
- Our mission is "oneness" and "intimacy" as we seek to raise "godly seed" - we've had to get under that mission. We've both had to sacrifice to see the mission of a godly family thrive.
- Submission (under the mission) is a response to Christ-like love
- There is no set "look" that all marriages must have
- Treat your mate like a nag and he (she) will be a nag
- Treat your mate like royalty and he (she) will act like royalty
- Set water bottles on the nightstands BEFORE you get into bed
- Big weddings make for fun photos, but if one of our children wants to get married jumping out of an airplane or at the ocean - we'll be there. The setting doesn't matter - the commitment for life does.
I can't imagine what life would have been like these past decades without you in my life, Mike. God truly blessed me when He orchestrated events in such a way that a certain upper class man would notice a slightly spacey freshman MK. (Yes - I'm blaming the whole incident on HIM). You've been such a positive influence in my life. I treasure your insight and wisdom. I treasure your confidence and trust and love. I treasure you.
Some of my favorite photos:
Reconnected with Cindy via Facebook
Yes, Christmas Wedding on Valentine's Day. That's a story for another day. I already have the photos uploaded now. ::snort:: To my left is my Dad. Yep, Daddy married me. On the far right, the tall blond is my oldest brother. My youngest brother is not in this photo. I'll have to look for a photo with him. I've threatened him that it will show up on FB. LOL
I was not as big as this dress makes me look, this was the 80's and it was a lotta dress. I am, however, this short in heels.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
17 comments:
Happy 25th wedding anniversary, De'Etta and Mike! May God bless you with many more.
Happy Anniversary!!
I enjoyed the pictures. I love hearing testimony of marriages that endure AND are happy!
I really like what you said about love. I'd like to copy that to my marriage blog if you don't mind.
Congratulations! and Praise God!!
Love the look of the blog, the pictures, and your stories. I was thinking WOW how much your older sons look so much like their dad!
So I hope you're hearing positive comments from Central Region ladies concerning the web refreshing. I'd love to hear 'em, too! 8-) (words of affirmation....ya know)
Happy 25th Anniversary! Wishing you many more years!
I am posting my reply from my blog here to just in case you didn't see it on mine. :)
Yes I LOVE grocery shopping!! If I could make it a career I so would. I just can't figure out the money part of it! lol I will gladly shop for you as long as you have a list. :) But you will have to put away your own stuff-that is the only part I dislike.
No my headache isn't gone but it isn't as bad as it was.
Kelly - copy away or link to it - please just include a link to me if you copy.
Congratulations, sweet friends! I pray the Lord will continue to bless you in your marriage. Thank you for the example you set for your children of how a marriage should be. 25 years! I'm praying you will be able to take that getaway soon! :)
Happy Anniversary you wonderful two made one in Him! {VBG}
Happy Anniversary, What a beautiful post. I'll have to hear about the Christmas wedding on Valentine's Day.
Blessings to the Goecker family.
Julie
Happy Anniversary!!! :-)
Fun pictures, DeEtta! Is the "water bottles on the nightstand" tip recently added after the previous post? LOL!
Ladies, thanks.
Linda - yes...after reading that making a dh get out of bed each night to get water shows his unconditional love - I realized that maybe this tip about the water bottle would be an important marriage tip. ::snort::
Congrats! We're 24 this year... it seems so long ago yet yesterday.
Congratulations on 25 years!
Congratulations! I appreciated your comments on marriage. We are only at 7 years, so I still have tons to learn.
It was fun seeing the EBC era pics! Jun just woke up and saw you and Mike's picture walking down the asile. She tagged you as a tiny tiny baby, and Mike as Jesus. From the mouth of babes!
Sis: Oh boy! What an adventure your wedding was. So glad Mike is part of our family. So proud of you both and your family.
Hey, we did encourage you kids to be individuals and not afraid to do things a bit different didn't we? :):):)
love/prayers
Mom T.
What a sweet blog. Congratulations on your 25 years! I enjoy sharing our anniversary date with such a godly couple as you and Mike. You are an inspiration to those of us who didn't necessarily have a godly marriage modeled for us in our parents.
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