7 years…

Seven years ago today, I married my best friend. Today, I am happy to say that he is still my very best friend.

Seven years ago, my husband was a dee-jay, and I was a college student going for my degree in Mild/Moderate Disabilities with plans to pursue a Masters in Speech Pathology.

Today, my husband is a youth pastor with his Master’s degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and I am a stay-at-home-mom to three beautiful girls.

The things we planned and had as goals are nothing like what actually happened in our lives. I did graduate from college with my degree, 5 months pregnant on my graduation day, and instead of pursuing my Masters, I became a SAHM.  MY husband went from dee-jaying parties, weddings, and proms to interim youth pastor at our church.  In three months, he was the part-time youth pastor, and within three more months he was full-time.  He was ordained in our church on March 30, 2005.

God is still the center of our lives; even more so now than ever before.  My husband and I still have our quirks, but we have learned a lot from each other.  For example, when I met him, he wore shirts that were two-sizes too big (I still don’t know why!).  Now, he wears a size large… and it fits him well.  And, he was never big at all… he is still as skinny as ever!

We have been through many ups and downs, some ministry-related and some not.  We have discovered, though, that if we remain a team, things work out much better.  I wish I could say that we learned that a long time ago, but it has just been in the last month that we have made the commitment to be a team.

I have had to take a step back on all of my Type-A tendencies and issues with controlling everything.  My husband has had to learn to say, “No.”  (not to me, but to others… he is a people-pleaser).  He has gained much more confidence in himself and his ideas; he believes in himself now more than ever.  I have always believed in him.

I know this is a long post, but I want everyone to know how very proud I am of my husband, and what he has become in the last seven years.  I have never been more proud to be his wife than I am at this moment.

Shane – I love you very much.  I am so glad that God blessed me with you as my husband.  I could not have chosen anyone better.  I do believe you were made for me, and I for you.  Thank you for our beautiful daughters and our wonderful life.  I appreciate you and all you do.  You are an amazing father, a talented and gifted pastor, and the kindest and sweetest man I know.  Thank you for blessing me these last 7 (technically, 10 that we’ve been together) years.  Every day with you gets better and better, and I cannot wait to see what the next seven years holds for us.  If we work as a team, we can do anything.  Happy Anniversary, honey.

PS – I don’t really mind that we are at church camp this week.  I know you will make it up to me… you always do!