Happy Anniversary!

07/04/08 12:16 AM

Two simple words. . . “I do.”

But oh how meaningful. Twenty four years ago today I said, “I do” to Laurie Michele Bryan and we became husband and wife. (This picture was actually taken about two years later when I was almost through puberty.)

I married my best friend. . . and she still is. I remember the first day we met as though it happened yesterday. It was on the campus of Atlanta Christian College. We were in a meeting together for those who would be serving on their summer ministry teams. You were sitting diagnonally across the large conference room table.

Ron Lewis had all of us introduce ourselves. And in the give and take of the meeting that followed, with everybody asking questions or providing their feedback, I saw your heart. It came out in your transparency. There was just something about your demeanor that separated you from the rest of the girls who were in the room that day. Even though our friendship would take time to develop, and we wouldn’t officially begin dating for quite some time, I was immediately impressed and drawn to you the very first day we met. . . I still am.

Laurie, you are the love of my life and in honor of our twenty-fourth wedding anniversary, I’d like to share twenty-four things I love about you. I couldn’t be more serious when I say that the most challenging part of this list is what to leave out! But for now, I’ll just stick to 24. . . in no particular order:

Your terrific sense of humor
How you have always put the needs of our family ahead of your own
That you love to read and still have an enormous love of learning
That you’ve always supported me and continue to be my biggest cheerleader
The outstanding, and I sincerely mean outstanding job you’ve done (and are doing) homeschooling our kids
That our kids love hanging out with you and miss you when they can’t
Your walk with Christ, two words: authentic & relationship
How naturally thoughtful and comfortable you are around little children
That you consistently pray for me and the kids
How beautiful you are... Yowza!! In fact, more specifically... (no, I’ll stop right here and stay married)
Your phenomenal work ethic
That you are one of the most intelligent people I know
What we’ve learned and how we’ve grown through the painful times
That you have a great relationship with my Dad (and did with my Mom too)
Your admiration. . . as to it’s effect, we’re talking rocket fuel
Hugging you
That I am more attracted to you now that I have ever been
Waking up beside you every day
The admiration I have that you are esteemed by everyone who knows you
Your wisdom and ability to give insightful counsel
That you’ve always been able to be yourself and helped me learn what that means
Hearing you tell me that you love me
The incredible mother you are to our kids
That while we’re still learning and growing, our marriage has never been healthier

I’m just getting warmed up! Oh well. . . I’ve got a jump start on our 50th anniversary and beyond. But whether I were share to 24, 240, or 2400 more more reasons. . . all of them come down to this. . . Laurie, I love you!

Happy Anniversary!