Dear Hubby,

Happy Anniversary, my love! Where (seriously where?) have the last 9 years gone? I’m mean, I’m sure we’d both agree, at times they seemed to go by slower than molasses, but sitting here today and looking back it feels fast.

I remember being a beautiful young bride like it was yesterday. It was an incredible feeling. You were my prince charming, our wedding day was perfect, and I had more hopes and dreams than I can even begin to recollect now. I had no idea what I was really embarking on, I just knew that from that day forward, I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything without you by my side. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

Since then a lot has happened! We’ve taken amazing trips. We’ve built businesses. We’ve succeeded and failed. We’ve learned who we are and who we aren’t. We’ve found a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and a deep burning passion for ministry. We’ve brought the most precious baby girl into the world… Gosh, I know we often say we should have accomplished so much more this past decade, but really we’ve done so much. We’ve made wonderful memories, built a beautiful family, and laid down a solid foundation.

We’ve been through some profoundly difficult times too. There were days when I really didn’t think we were going to make it. It’s unbelievable how deeply two people can hurt each other, isn’t it? I’m so sorry, Chris. I never wanted to cause you such pain and you didn’t deserve it. I forgive you with all of my heart for the things that hurt me, too. I know sometimes I still bring it up, but I’m pursuing the Lord and asking Him to help me keep no record of wrongs. I know you are a Godly man now and it’s right for me to leave the past in the past.

Looking back at our life together, I could have a lot of regret. No one would blame me. But sitting here now, I count it all joy. Truly. I would not be who I am, you would not be who you are, and we would not be in such a unique position to impart Jesus to this hurting world without it all. It would be selfish of me to look back and wish it were all happy and comfortable. If we skipped our trials, we would have no healing and no testimony—and that would be at the expense of our future and everything God has in store for us.

So today, my love, after 9 years together, after living both heaven and hell on earth, I want you to know with complete certainty: I STILL DO.

Eyes wide open—knowing the good and the bad: You are still my prince charming. I still have more hopes and dreams than I can begin to number. I know exactly what I’m embarking on for the next 10 years and I still don’t want to go anywhere or do anything without you by my side. I’m still, without question, the luckiest girl in the world.

My love, thank you for sharing your life and heart with me. It’s the greatest honor and privilege of my life.

The best is yet to be.

Love Lizzie, aka “Darling”

A few lyrics that got me teary-eyed back in college. Now I ugly cry. LOL!

Alan Jackson’s “Remember When”

Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other’s hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we’d never give it up
Remember when

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