Oh, Happy Day!

July Fourth is a special day around our home.   I'm sure you're thinking, "It's a special day in every home."  I know, I know.  Cookouts, boating, cake, fireworks, blah, blah, blah...

However, this day holds much more meaning for us...

Twelve years ago, I married an amazing man.  I thought I knew that then, but the depth and breadth of my love for this man seems to have grown by leaps and bounds, and continues to grow.  Our marriage, and our love, is truly of God.

As I look back over our courtship, engagement, and our marriage, I can see God's hand all over our relationship.  Things that I would have written off before as coincidence are anything but.   There is just too much about our relationship that had to have been coordinated by God in order for us to succeed.  We are truly suited for each other.

I knew on the day that I married this man that I would love him, honor him, and cherish him all of my days.  What I didn't know what that each one of those days would be such a joy.  I truly believe that I was created to love this man.  He is an amazing man:  honest, full of integrity, funny, constant, and so selfless.  He would do anything for me, and for our kiddos.

I love you today and always, Smoochie.  My heart to yours on this day, our twelfth anniversary!


And if that isn't enough to celebrate, then take a gander at this:


On our fifth anniversary, MotorMan and I were blessed with our firstborn.

That's right:  On July 4th, 2003 our daughter was born.  (No, we didn't plan it that way!)

After about 7 years of training, I think we're finally getting into the mode of being this beautiful girl's parents.

CraftyGirl is an amazing spirit.  Gentle, wicked smart, loving, super hug-able, funny, generous, and truly a light.  I look forward to watching her grow into a godly woman.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!!  We love you more than you will ever know!

So, while many people celebrate Independence on the 4th of July, for us it is a day of Interdependence -- on God, and on each other.  It was the day our family began, and the day it began to grow.

And I can't think of two better reasons to eat cake and watch fireworks than to celebrate our marriage and the birth of our daughter!