April 14, 2007

 On April 14, 2007 I was nervous, anxious, excited, and ready.  I knew from the first date with James that I was going to marry him.  Well, at least I knew he was the kind of man I wanted to marry.  Since that day, we've lived in five houses (including our first apartment), lived in three cities and states, and have had two beautiful little boys.

To celebrate our FIFTH wedding anniversary, I'd like to share my five most favorite things about this man:

1.  He is who he says he is.  He does what he says he's going to do.  He lives his beliefs.  He is the same man on Friday nights that he is on Sunday morning.  It makes it sooo easy to trust him.

James 1:22-25: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

2.  Everyday for the past 5 years, I've had a goodbye kiss in the morning.  Whether I'm sleeping, snoring, or groggily awake, he kisses me regardless.  I love that. 

3. He faces trials with grace and dignity.  He lives Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails."

James 1:2-3 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.

4.  I have to come to love his quiet demeanor.  His silence used to drive me bonkers, but now, it's one of my favorite qualities about him.  He thinks about everything he is going to say.  He never uses his tongue to harm anyone.  Never.  He is slow to anger and chooses his words wisely even in arguments. 

James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

5.  He loves me for me. Not for what I do. Beyond my mistakes, my mess-ups, and my failures.  He just loves me.  Even when I'm humongous and pregnant, he still tells me I'm beautiful and means it.  He tells me all the time that I don't need make-up.  I think he's crazy, but he just loves me.  And I love that!

I would follow this man to the end of the Earth if he asked me to.  I trust his direction for our family and absolutely can not wait to melt back into his arms. I am so thankful for the past 5 years and can't wait to turn it into 50!  Happy Anniversary to the most amazing man I have ever known!

I love you James Killian!