Three years ago today, the flowers were perfectly placed, the gown hung gracefully, the groom spoke emotionally, and the bride beamed as friends and family gathered to celebrate as the Father danced with joy.
Three years ago today we said “I do and I will” until death sweetly parts us.
Three years ago today we promised to love and cherish in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer.
Three years ago today we started a family with one man and one woman.
Three years ago today we shared our first kiss.
Three years ago today we rejoiced in God’s goodness, pleasure, and faithfulness.
Three years ago today we made a covenant, an unbreakable promise, to mirror the mystery of Christ and the Church.
And here we stand three, long and short, years later…
…working out our vows each and every day still committed until death.
…we’ve learned what it means that love is more than a feeling, but a decision we must make every day, moment by moment.
…we’ve known what its meant to be rich and poor both in spirit and in physical reality–rejoicing that we have been blessed to give and influence the kingdom.
…we’ve learned that marriage isn’t easy, but requires work. A lot of it. Even when it’s uncomfortable and we don’t feel like it.
…we’ve grown our family to include not one, but two children.
…we’ve known the pain that comes with loss, sin, and suffering.
…we’ve known the humility and joy of repentance and restoration of forgiveness.
…we’ve known that apart from Christ we would fail utterly and miserably.
…we’ve seen the goodness of God in death, resurrection, provision, laughter, joy, and so much more.
And today, we’re even more stalwart now than we were then to keep our unbreakable promise. The privilege that marriage is, the responsibility, to represent to a dying and dreary world the glorious hope that is Christ and His Bride, the church. The weightiness of this momentary picture.
We’ve come so far and yet still have so much farther to go. Humility. Repentance. Joy. Discovery. Growth. Communication.
Joe, I love you and have known you in ways I wouldn’t have imagined (or could explain) three years ago. You have challenged me in my thinking and expression. You have supported and encouraged me like no one else ever has. You are my constant companion, my faithful friend, my provider, and listener. You mirror Jesus in so many ways. I know you’ll say you don’t see it, but trust me–you do. (What man will go to a job every day that bores him completely, choose to ride his bike after 11pm so his wife can have the car, or gives her his “extra” money for her hobbies?)
You fulfill the command to love me “as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27). I know you don’t do this perfectly and neither do I, but I wouldn’t choose to work out this salvation and picture with anyone else. I love you so much and can’t imagine my life without you. You are such a blessing and joy to me…and I hope I show that to you.
I love you, Joe!
Here’s to many more years…………or until we die…whichever comes first! 
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