6 Years Ago...

It was spring. Rainy, but spring. Hey, you can't be picky if you get married in Oregon, right?

I had gone and picked up over 1000 tulips from the tulip farm a couple of days before and this morning I walked over to my grandparents' garage to get a look at them. They had just started to open and they were beautiful, all the colors I hoped (and prayed) for for my wedding day.


My dear friends' sister came over to do my hair. I painted my own nails in a clear kind of polish. My dear friend did my makeup, convincing me to maybe put a little bronzer on. I didn't know I was supposed to go have all those things done. I felt beautiful.

I came downstairs and my mom had finished my veil and I put it on with my hair. It was exactly how I imagined it would look. It was a pretty relaxing morning. I think the bridesmaids and I watched Napolean Dynamite with my brothers. Thinking about it now I'm sure I should have done something else but it fit me. I'm not very fancy. And I am really glad my brothers were around that morning. I think it made things feel more normal. They are two of my best friends after all.

We headed to the church. Honestly I don't remember who took me to the church. I walked in and saw the reception area. I had asked a family friend to do it, not knowing at all what it would look like. It was beautiful. And I went into the sanctuary where more family friends were working on decorating. It was stunning...more beautiful than I imagined it would be.

It felt like I had waited forever for this day to come but on that day it seemed to all go very fast. I got in my dress, the dress my mom found and brought to me to try on. The memories of getting my dress are still some of my favorites. It was just my mom and me at a small boutique and when I tried it on I knew without a doubt it was the dress for me. Mostly because I was comfortable in it. :)

So there I stood with my dad. Waiting for my cue to get to the door and walk down the aisle. John & I decided not to see each other before the ceremony. I'm glad we didn't. The music played and the doors opened. And I got married to my John. The one my heart longed for for 5 years.

That was an exciting day, John. We began a new chapter together. These have been the hardest but most fulfilling, most challenging and most rewarding 6 years of my life. I've learned so much about me. So much about you. So much about us. But most of all I've learned so much about our God. His blessings on us, His mercies to us, the grace He gives us each day. His faithfulness.

You are so honorable, John. I am privileged to stand beside you. Blessed to learn from you. Thank you for choosing me 6 years ago and for striving to love me for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. Thank you for striving to love, honor, and cherish me these 6 years. I love you. Happy anniversary.