19 and Counting

It was a rainy morning. The service was scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

I woke up at the hotel where my family was staying. A weird, surreal feeling came over me, Today, my life will change.

The skies cleared and we made our way to the church.

We were excited. Young. And in love.

It was a service of promises, tears, and wide-eye hope for a life full of adventure and blessing. 19 years later the promise means as much now as it did then. We've continued to share tears through the good and the bad. 5 amazing kids. The loss of a parent, grandparents, and even 2 little one we will some day meet in heaven. Multiple moves and ministry changes. And the wide-eyed hope for a life full of adventure and blessing...let's just say we had no idea where the adventure would take us.

This past Monday, May 18th, 2015, my wife and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. We spent the day driving home from a weekend visiting my family in Philadelphia. Long car rides are great, especially when the kids are all asleep. It gives you some peace and quiet and time to think.

19 years. That's a long time. This year I turned 40. That means I have been married for almost half my life. That's a weird thought.

19 years.

When I was in my teens, I hoped and prayed for a marriage that was blessed. I wanted a relationship with my future wife that was filled with love, children, and fun. As I think back over the 19 years, I'd have to say that God answered my prayers.

19 years.

In my bio, I say that I am a guy who can honestly say, I love being married. It's true. I do. I love my wife, Amy. I love our life together. I love that we are still in love. I love that we intend on being married a great many more years.

19 years.

I am blessed. I know that. God has been good to give me the most amazing woman to share this life with. When I read Genesis 2:18-25, I believe that God, in His perfect wisdom, created Amy specifically for me. She is my suitable helper, my partner, my best friend, my lover, my wife.

19 years.

Amy is why I left home. She is who I was united to on the Saturday morning. She is who I am becoming one with. 

19 years.

Amy is an amazing mom. 5 kids is a lot, but she does it so well. Not only that, but she still has room to love on others. Whether it friends or kids from the neighborhood, or one of the little ones she watches, her love and motherly expertise is well used.

19 years.

Simply put, I just couldn't begin to imagine what my life would look like without my amazing, beautiful, godly, wife. Amy Higham, I love you. And I am so blessed and grateful that God chose you to be with me. Let's make the years to come as exciting as these first 19. And who know where God will lead us and what He might ask us to do!

Happy Anniversary!

- jay

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