Being married to you has been like a road trip to Mexico:  You never know what’s going to happen, but it will be mostly beautiful and definitely memorable!  Thank goodness only God is all-knowing, right?

Maybe our lives together have been a case of ignorance is bliss, but the bliss of being your companion through life has been so worth it.  I’ve learned so much about you, myself and God because of our marriage.  Here are just a handful of many lessons learned:

• He doesn’t leave when things get difficult. You have been so steady throughout our marriage. There has been very little “I” in us.  Whatever each of us faces, we’ve faced it together, from being dirt-town poor and rolling pennies for formula, to raising teens—have mercy!—to facing circumstances out of our control.  You’ve taught me to trust that everything will always work out for good—even if we don’t see it this side of heaven.

What I’ve learned about God because of living life with you is that we are never forsaken.  He holds us through the hard times and shelters us under his wing.

• He provides out of his great store house. I don’t know if you notice me worrying that you’re going to wear yourself out working so hard.  I know you do it to provide for us, and I want you to know that I respect and appreciate your many, many talents and work ethic.  I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. And when things have been or will be uncertain financially, I know you’re praying for God’s provision.  I know you’re not afraid for your own well-being and that you’d sacrifice your time and well-being for us.  I know it brings you joy to provide for us, to lavish us with your provision.

What I am reminded of about God because of your selfless sacrifice is that he, too, sacrificed himself for our provision, and that he takes pleasure in providing for his beloved

• He loves us when we behave unloveably. Thank you for putting up with my oft moodiness.  I want to apologize, especially, for how grouchy I am in the morning.  I know you know it isn’t really me.  Thank you for preparing my coffee and making my eggs and tortillas just the way I like them.  I realize feeding me is partially self-preservation, but I love that you love me enough to wait on me—the real me—to emerge, and not just in the morning, but always.  You’re so kind and gentle even when I’m not.

Also…I’ve seen you weep for your children.  Nothing touches me more deeply than how deeply you love them.  Thank you for setting an example of real love for them to follow:  Without the love of a Father, there would be no real love. 

What I’ve learned about God because of your love is that he weeps and waits for us, too; and that he gently and lovingly attempts to lift our chins and guide our eyes to his.

• He brings us joy and laughter. You are so clever and funny.  One of my favorite things to do is laugh with you, and one of my favorite sounds is you laughing at something—even if I think it’s silly or don’t get the joke.  Your laughter reminds me of our babies’ first real belly laugh—so heart-felt and contagious.  You are bent towards joy, regardless of the circumstance, and you have taught me to do the same.  What I’ve learned about God from loving you is that God has a sense of humor—just kidding!

What I’ve learned about God from your joy is that God is bent on joy, too, and that he laughs with us and delights in us.   

• He is a God of creativity and whimsy. Sometimes we do things that seem foolish to others.  Although they may have been mistakes, together we’ve learned to trust God’s leading.  Although you tend to be more practical and pragmatic as our provider, I love how easily we can be creative together.  I love what we’ve created together with his help:  A marriage centered on God’s will; a peaceful, loving home; beautiful, incredible children; a lifetime filled with music and writing; a future filled with outrageous hopes and dreams.  It’s all because of who you are, and who God made us to be together.  I love that we are reflections of a whimsical and creative Creator.

What I’ve learned about God because of our marriage is that he isn’t always pragmatic or practical.  His is a radical, faith-driven love, after all.  He encourages us to be who we’re created to be, together and apart.  He finds a way to turn our “foolishness” into blessings when we cede our imagination to his will.

I’m most myself when I’m with you, and I love who we are together.  Here’s to 25+ more years of chasing rainbows with you, babe.

I love you now and always,

Celi