For Better or Worse

Fifteen years ago today I said, “I do” to my husband Dennis. We shared our first kiss at the altar and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

Fifteen years ago we said to each other, “I, take you, to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

Our vows have meant that we chose to love each other no matter what. We made a choice, a decision, a commitment to muddle through it all, no matter what that entails, together.

During our marriage we have lived in Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and now Tennessee together.

We have ridden the rollercoaster of parenthood together experiencing the ups, downs, challenges and rewards of parenting 3 children.

The economics of our household have swung high and low. We started out together with no credit to our names, no savings, living paycheck to paycheck and we have been successful.

We started, changed, expanded, grew and sold a business together.

We have loved each other, wrestled each other emotionally, uplifted each other and changed for each other.

Our “for betters” have been glorious. Our “for worse” have been heartbreaking. Our “richer” has been a blessing. Our “for poorer” times enriched our lives. Our “in sickness” has been terrifying. Our “in health” is never taken for granted.

There have been moments when “to love and to cherish” has been easy and times when we’ve needed to be humbled before the Lord in prayer.

If I knew then, what I know now I would marry Dennis again without a moment’s hesitation. I love and respect him even more today than when I stood before God and family to commit my “from this day forward until death do us part” to Dennis.