Happy Anniversary Ed...Love You!

Last month we celebrated my wonderful husband, Ed's, birthday with family and a friend. Ed had the day off so I invited his siblings over for an afternoon of cards, food, and much laughter. It was a great day, to say the least and we made memories and remembered family gatherings of years past. We went to church in the morning with the thread of rain hanging above us in the clouds yet according to the weather maps, "it would blow over". Well...it never blew over. In spite of the canopy tent and umbrellas we placed on the deck, we were moving the party inside. 

Except for when it came time to cook, that is. Ed said, "Whose cooking? It's my birthday." I laughed, because it seems each time we plan a BBQ style gathering, it rains. No, it pours, and this wonderful man stands out in the back dodging hail, rain, and branches to cook on the grill. 

I was prepared, I grabbed my umbrella and went to the grill prepared to continue to enjoy this day, in spite of the damp weather.

Life is about choices. I chose to endure the storm so my hubby could enjoy time with his friend and family. It was a great day!

One thing happened that hasn't happened, yet, while I was standing at the grill holding my umbrella...the birthday boy left the party on the deck (in the rain, lol) and came down to hold the umbrella for me. Isn't he the best!? I think so. I've never left the comfort of dryness to help him, he is such a gift.

We ended up standing down by the grill under the umbrella until the meat was finished, visiting with his buddies and family at the same time. They remained on the deck and in the house where is wasn't quite as wet but the laughter echoed all around.

This is only one reason I love my husband so much. Another reason I love him, he is an idiot! But guess what, so am I. Most of you know my love to read and write, well, this is not my sweet's desire but when I started to read We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can aloud one evening last summer while sitting on the deck, he sat back and enjoyed this great book. You see, he married an idiot too, and at times, I'm the bigger idiot.

During his birthday party, he knew my distaste for standing in the rain to grill yet knew I did it because my love for him is greater than any storm life might bring into our lives. Ed, doesn't like parties (at all) but knows this is my heart's desire, to celebrate life and rejoice with those I love, so he let me throw him a "gathering with cake" (I didn't call it a party, lol). What did we learn - when we set aside our pride and our own agendas, much happiness follows.

Twenty-one years later, we still love, and like each other. My aunt told me, if you can survive the first ten years, the rest are a piece of cake. We still kid about this today because we decided if we survived the first year of our marriage, we could and would survive anything. 

You see, within the first year of our marriage, my sister was abducted while working alone at the D & W Convenience Store in New Haven, New York. A couple of my great-aunts passed away, a cousin, and uncle...to name a few of the life events that were thrust at us. Each making us stronger, in the long run.

Thankfully, Ed and I, each married and idiot. Only two idiots can survive such tragedies with smiles on their face and remain in love. The greatest thing we gained in our marriage, the Lord. It took a decade to get there but once we did, the roller coaster ride of emotions, grief, tragedy, and life still happen but our strength isn't our own...making life that much more enjoyable. James says it best...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature"  and complete, 
not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, 
who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, 
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 
Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, 
having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 
that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” 
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, 
when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 
Every good and perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 
who does not change like shifting shadows.  
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, 
that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
James 12 - 18

Celebrating another year of survival, strength, love, and marriage!

Happy Anniversary to the best man, God could of blessed me with.