Your Beautiful Soul

It's been 16 years since we said "I do"

I could go back and tell about our meeting,

when I saw you there on those stairs tuning your bass

thinking of how handsome you were

knowing you were someone special,

someone I would someday call my own.

I've heard you say it's a good thing I didn't really know you then

It's a good thing we were strangers.

All I know is that at that very moment,

that very unromantic, ordinary moment,

I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life getting to know your beautiful soul.

It's been 16 years since we said "I do"

I could go back and tell of all the hardships we've endured

The breaking up

The unplanned pregnancy

The internal turmoil

The back and forth,

The growing apart

The miscarriages

The financial hardships

The painful ministry moments

The dreams that crashed and burned

The loosing of ourselves in the midst of pain.

I've heard you say you'd be lost without me

All I know is that I am so grateful to have had you to walk alongside,

and carry each other through.

It's been 16 years since we said, "I do"

I could go back and write down all the beautiful,

Amazing times we've shared together

The birth of each of our four children and

All the firsts that go with that

The celebrations, birthdays, trips, and moves

The finding of ourselves

The deep conversations

The growing together

The search and experimentation of a life of meaning

The dreaming, the loving, the hoping,

The awakening of our souls to God's gentle nudging in our lives,

The traveling the world.

I've heard you say there is no one else you would rather spend your life with

All I know is that because of you,

I know more about God's deep love,

commitment,

grace,

patience,

determination,

and desire

for me.

I'm so grateful for you

And there is no one else I would rather spend my life with.

Over these last 16 years,

you have opened your heart and soul to me.

It has been an honor and a privilege to be the woman who gets to walk the earth with you.

You truly are the most beautiful soul.

I look forward to continuing on in this journey together with you.

I love you.

Happy Anniversary!