Thirty-One Years

These days, thirty-one years at anything is a long time.  Our father's and grandfather's often worked for the same company that long or longer.  Our parents and grandparents were all married that long or much longer, unless death parted them.  So, it's easy to understand why I'm so proud and happy that Pete and I are celebrating 31 years of marriage today!  It's an accomplishment!  As the Gatlin Brothers sang "We're number one!  We've fought every battle together."

So, I ask you to celebrate with us.  And I share this from an entry ten years ago:

What convinced you the most in your choice of a spouse?

Humm....was it any one thing? Keep in mind, I was not allowing Christ to be Lord of my life at the time. So I did not consult Him, or seek His will. I made a purely human, worldly, carnal choice when I picked my sweet and precious Pete. He did everything a man was "supposed" to do: opened every door, pulled out every chair, took my coat, you name it. He courted me. Also, when he was out of work briefly, he spent his very last dime on a Valentine card for me. So I knew he was not selfish. He was handsome and fun. Could, can, make me laugh. He respected his parents very much. All the women in his life highly recommended him. But the two things that touched my heart the most were that he was content and able to just hold me, cuddle. And the fact that he was strong enough to stand up to me when I was totally wrong or irrational. Most of the thoughtful and kind men I had ever dated would crumble and back down when I strongly asserted myself. So I felt the odds were good he would never come to resent me and I would never lose all respect for him. So far, this has held true. Twenty-one years together, this past March. (But I owe God much credit and thanks for that!)  

And I ask you to please go and read my tribute to my husband:  This is Dedicated to the One I Love - A Working Man.  (Keep in mind it was written before he found Christ.)

Last year, being our thirtieth, Pete bought me an anniversary ring for my right hand.  (The only jewelry he's ever bought.  I had Mama's rings Daddy had given her when we married and I wanted to use them.  I'm not a big jewelry person, so it was never on my gift list.)  He hinted he might get me one.  And I plainly told him that if he did, all that mattered to me was that he pick it out himself.  I wanted his taste, as I respect his taste in all things.

Our anniversary fell on a Wednesday, the second Wednesday of the month, which is the Business Meeting and Birthday Fellowship at the church.  We have a business meeting and then afterward, everyone with a birthday or anniversary comes up front for the congregation to sing to and afterward we all adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for cake and ice cream.

We both wanted to be there to celebrate our day with them, especially since it fell on the exact date.  But when they called us up front, Pete had a surprise worked out for me. He pulled out my anniversary ring and presented it to me in front of the church.  In front of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  It was beautiful.  And special.  And just another reason I've managed to love this man all these years through everything life could throw at us.

What is your most memorable anniversary and why?