At this time three years ago, I was checking my cash, writing checks, and making sure there’d be enough to pay for our wedding the next day. Three years have gone by so fast, but I can still remember that day. I thought I had a pretty good idea of who I was, who she was, what marriage entailed, and what was needed to make it work – but the past three years have shown me that I don’t know anything. But thank God for His grace on the two of us.

How else would I find a woman who:

• complements me in every way, is strong where I am weak
• can indulge me when I get into one of my silly moods
• appreciates my sense of humor, even if it’s just to make me feel good
• sharpens me intellectually with her quick and piercing thoughts
• can see my flaws better than anyone else and still believes in me
• trusts God for the best for us
• stands by me and my decisions
• has CRAZY faith, because she knows her God
• is content to live simply (whether it’s the Tamaraw FX or eating hardboiled eggs all week), but still has the faith for a better life
• is the best sounding board for preaching, with her insights on Scripture and on my delivery
• the most merciless, but encouraging preaching commenter: because she knows the Bible and she knows me
• makes coming home from work an exciting prospect
• doesn’t cook but experiments regularly to try to serve me (cute!)
• has expanded my horizons introducing me to the worlds of showbusiness (who woulda thought?), literature (confusing), mountain climbing (how did I not do this sooner?), and proper grooming (a reluctant participant)
• looks gorgeous anywhere she is: at church, a celebrity ball, while running, while singing, while talking to me (even when angry) but my favorite is while she’s asleep
• is always up for an adventure: going to new places, pulling off stunts, and pushing our limits
• discusses the Bible with me so that this familiar book takes on new themes as it searches me through her sharing
• furnishes and arranges our home so it’s a welcoming place for family, friends, and ministry
• remains completely trustworthy in every area
• loves God more than me and this makes me sure she’ll always love me

Happy anniversary, Love. The past three years have been great, but I’m sure they’re nothing compared to what’s up ahead. With God in this marriage, this is going to be an amazing life.

My wife's many faces - "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22