28 Years ❤️

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Do you believe in soulmates? If so, have you found your soulmate? You know what I am talking about. A soulmate is a person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet - a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection evolves, you experience a love so deep, so strong, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness, and happiness when you are around them. “I have found the one whom my soul loves.“ Song of Solomon 3:4

I have always believed that Mark and I were and still are soulmates. We have always connected on a level that I cannot even explain. We have always been able to sense what the other is feeling or thinking. We have always been each other’s best friend. For the last couple years of Mark’s active drinking, things were different. We didn’t communicate as well, and we lost our deep connection. I still sensed things were going south and Mark was on a downward spiral. I confronted him many times, but he became a good liar and drinking was his main focus in life.

When Mark chose sobriety, our deep connection returned. My best friend came back better than ever. Our marriage had a lot of healing to do, and I truly believe that our deep connection to one another and God is what has healed it. I believe now, more than ever that we are truly soulmates. There are times when I will lay my head on Mark’s chest and after a few minutes it is as if our hearts beat simultaneously…. beating like one heart. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

On June 18, 2022, we celebrated 28 years of marriage. I told a bit of our story in some of my first blog posts. We were married very young. I was 19 and Mark was 22. If you would have asked our parents at the time, they were worried about our marriage making it. In fact, there were a lot of doubters. But here we are, 28 years later. Our marriage survived years of infertility treatments, three premature babies (two of which spent several months in the NICU), a very sick premature baby that came home with multiple medical needs and round the clock nursing care, a bad accident in which two were killed (Mark and Bailee survived), a couple of miscarriages, a daughter diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 15, a suicide of a nephew (who was more like a brother), the unexpected death of my father, aging parents with health needs, and an alcoholic home. Just to name a few! I am beyond exhausted thinking about it. But I am also so proud of both Mark and me. Many couples would have called it quits long ago. Not us. Although these less than fortunate events occurred, they made our marriage stronger in the end. They easily could have broken us, and you all know the last one (alcoholism) nearly did. But, again, here we are. Still going strong.

Has it been easy? No, it has not. It has been the hardest and most emotionally draining thing of our lives. Has it been worth it? A thousand times over, yes! It has been more than worth it. Marriage takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work. But, if you choose to do it together, with God’s guidance, it is more than possible to make even the most broken marriage heal and work. The following is what I posted on social media for our anniversary. It sums it all up.

(From social media post June 18, 2022)

Anyone who knows me knows that I have always loved taking pictures. This past year taking pictures and being in pictures has become even more important to me. God has shown us so many miracles these past 14 months. Mark has also taught me a lot. Mark has shown me that change is possible at any age and at any stage in life. He has taught me patience, positivity, perseverance, and that our love is unconditional. Together we have learned that no matter what life hands us if we lean on God and each other we can and will persevere. We continue to invest a lot of time and hard work into our marriage and don’t take one another for granted. The little things in life mean a lot to us because we realize often it is the little things that turn out to be the big things in life. Tomorrow is never promised, and we choose to live for today and we do our best to live it fully. Together we know that if you believe, even broken things can be mended. In life, nothing is easy. It takes hard work. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and pray for those who don’t.  Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get the chance, take it. Nobody ever said that life would be easy but believe me, it will be worth it. God bless each and every one of you and may you see the miracles that many are too blinded to see.

Marriage Takes Three

One man who vows to love his wife. One wife who vows love too but only when the Lord is first, will love be ever true. ❤️❤️❤️❤️