A Birthday Blessing Fifteen Times...

Today is a celebration of life and miracles. The journey to this day’s joy began more than two decades ago when Ed returned home from Dessert Storm and took me to the movies for a date. From date night to wedding day, we enjoyed life and each other. Less than a week before our wedding day, a message from the doctor posed the risk of ending this bond. Or at least I thought it would.

I returned home from a routine doctor’s appointment with red and burning eyes with fear driving the car to Ed’s house. I prayed he would still marry me. Prayed he would understand. Prayed like I hadn’t prayed before because the future we planned might end. I had to say the words, “Ed, I might not be able to get pregnant, and even if I do, I may not be able to carry full-term. I’m having surgery next week.” Tears streamed down my cheeks and I couldn’t look up until I heard it – the soft cry of the man learning his dream of a big family wasn’t a possibility.

I waited only minutes yet it seemed like hours to hear the words I never expected, “Lisa, I’m not marrying you for the children you might have, I’m marrying you because I love you.” Be both cried and mourned the dream of children then cried because we knew without a doubt, we had each other.

We decided to only share this news with our parents until after the wedding. Our hope was to celebrate our marriage with only love, fun, and laughter. This was accomplished. We were married on Saturday, our mini honeymoon became an overnight stay, and a successful surgery the following week. 

Our dream to have children ended BUT God had other plans, and we serve a God of HOPE! There were miscarriages between this news and the birth of our daughter yet we viewed each as a reminder, God was in control and the Ultimate Physician. Due to health reasons the doctors advised to only try one more time for a child ~ this pregnancy was placed in the hands of God, the God of Hope. Hope doesn’t fail.

We accepted if it wasn’t meant to be then we would spoil our nieces and nephews with the love we couldn’t give to a child of our own. We don’t know why God chose to answer our prayer with a “yes” and bless us with a daughter. The one thing we do know is this…we are grateful EVERY day for the miracle of life, joy, love, and beauty God blessed us with on this day in 1998. 

Happy birthday Mags! You are an answer to prayer – God said “Yes”
when we asked for a child. You are a gift that keeps on giving and God has great things planned for you – we look forward to watching you grow into the woman you are designed to be. Love you, Mom and Dad

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Happy Birthday Mags!
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