For Dennis

Wednesday, Day 343:  Thirty-seven years ago today I married the love of my life.  I was amazed (and still am) that this wonderful man actually chose me as his wife.  Some folks couldn’t see it, because our personalities are so different.  But our differences fit together to make us stronger as a couple. 

We have certainly had problems in our lives.  We have faced challenges together from without and within.  We have had to learn to adjust to many difficult situations, which has put a strain on our relationship at times.  But we’ve always been totally committed to our marriage and have weathered every storm, with God’s help.  We are now nearing a new stage in life…one that we look forward to, but one that will also bring new challenges.  I joyfully anticipate the years ahead that we can spend together:  working on our house, spending time with our grandchildren, having more time to devote to our service to others, and hopefully getting to see more of this land we live in.  I am so very thankful for my husband, Dennis!  The words of this song say it so well:

For all those times you stood by meFor all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through it all

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cuz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

("Because You Love Me" written by Diane Warren, sung by Celine Dion)