Our Twentieth on the Twentieth

We were both young and stupid; 21 years old, one semester of college left, and no idea what we were doing after that. We just knew that whatever came next, we'd do it together.

God led us through a short valley, up hills and into the desert for several years, on to an oasis, through a few more rocky places, and finally to a pleasant pasture. Our second decade has been a well-watered garden, indeed.

Twenty reasons why I would marry my husband all over again...

He loves me no matter what.
He's seen in my ugliest moments, he knows all my worst traits, and he still considers himself wildly blessed to be married to me.
He makes sure I know it.
He cranks up "You're My Better Half" and sings along, and I know he's singing it to me.
He's miserable when we're apart.
He writes me romantic, poetic, profound notes for my birthday, our anniversary, and Mother's Day--and reminds the kids to make cards for me too.
He really thinks I'm gorgeous.
He's a man after God's own heart, full-hearted in his worship of God and passionate about the Bride, the Church.
Following God's leading, he has led me on a journey I never would have made alone, on a path I never would have picked--to places neither of us could ever have imagined!
Without him, I doubt I would have ended up with six children, or at our amazing, paradigm-shifting church, or been part of the ministries we've learned from and served with.
He's always on the same page as me in parenting.
He stretches me intellectually and spiritually.
He encourages me in writing and teaching.
He encourages me to get together with girlfriends.
He thinks deeply and carefully about theological, spiritual and relational issues.
He is a man of prayer and of the Word.
I respect him.
I trust his wisdom and discernment.
He's funny. Especially when showering. (Alone.)
He's handsome, thoughtful, and loving...and he's my other half.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)


Kiss me,
out of the bearded barley
Nightly,
beside the green, green grass
Swing, swing,
swing the spinning step
You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress

Oh, kiss me
beneath the milky twilight
Lead me
out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon’s sparkling,
so kiss me

Kiss me,
down by the broken tree house
Swing me
upon its hanging tire
Bring, bring,
bring your flowered hat
We’ll take the trail marked on your father’s map

Oh, kiss me
beneath the milky twilight
Lead me
out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon’s sparkling,
so kiss me