Sunday, May 24, 2009

seven years ago...

on a perfect May night, Nathan and I got married. There was ceremony, a very young bride, a very young groom, an outdoor reception, a cake that cracked, a string quartet, faces of those I loved and a few faces I'd never seen, a thrown bouquet caught by my best friend, and an old fashioned Model A Ford to drive us away. It was a beautiful wedding, but more importantly, it was the beginning of a beautiful marriage.

My grandfather used to say this,

You are free to choose. You are not free not to choose. And you are not free to choose the consequences of your choices.

It applies to marriage just like everything else.  You can choose the kind of person you want to marry, and after that, you live it.  I chose to marry someone like Nathan Christopher Luce, knowing that he was a man I could trust with my life, trust to lead me in my faith, and trust to lead our family.  I knew he was that kind of man, but I couldn't have guessed how much God would bless me because of him.

Seven years ago when we said our vows, I knew Nathan was the man I could live the life of my dreams with, but more importantly, I knew he was the man I could live real life with as well. And it's a good thing because real life is where we spend most of our time. 

When I think back over all seven of those years, I am floored with gratitude.  I know that at twenty years old I could have made some horrible choices, choices that I could still be reaping the consequences for today.  But somehow God blessed me. I asked Him to bring a man into my life that would honor Him, and He did.  I will never stop being grateful for that, no matter how many anniversaries follow.  And I hope there are a lot. Personally, I'm aiming for at least 65.  I hope Nathan's good with that, because I'm gonna need his help getting there!

10 comments:

julie said...

oh, how i remember that night! happy anniversary my friend! love you!

asplashofsunshine said...

Happy Anniversary!

I know what you mean about being young and possibly making the wrong choices. We were married at 23, although at the time, nobody could have told me that I was "too young". Thank goodness my husband is extraordinary as a husband, a daddy, a man. I have to say, that these days when I see a 20 something getting married, I think, "oh you are still so young". Haaaa, I'm only 31... what am I talking about?!

Hope your anniversary is a fabulous one!!!!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I loved reading your blog tonight.
Be sure and stop by my blog and sign up for the "10 Giveaways" that I will draw for on Wednesday.

Also, please pray for sweet Maggie as she returns to St Jude's this week. Would love for you to grab her button for your blog...

M&B said...

I can't believe that was 7 years ago!! I remember your wedding so well! Congratulations on 7 wonderful years...to God be the glory!

Kenzie said...

Happy belated anniversary! AND congratulations on your beautiful niece! Man, sick with scarlet fever, new baby in the fam and an anniversary all in such a short span... oh, and Adrienne's birthday. Girl, you are BUSY! :) Hope y'all had an awesome day!

Love you!
Kenz

Laurie in Ca. said...

~~*Happy Anniversary*~~

This is beautiful Angie. Such a sweet and true tribute to your first
"Seven" years together. I have watched your vows be tested over these past almost two years I have known you. Your bond of "three" strands held strong. You guys are a blessing to me.

I was 20 and Corky was 19 when we married and he had to have a "permission note" from his mother.
She did not want us married and waited until the last minute. This August we will be celebrating our 41st Anniversary of life and growing up together. We both have been blessed with wonderful men Angie and I know in 34 years, Lord willing, you will be having your 41st anniversary too!:)

Love and Many Hugs to you and Nathan, Laurie

Lee said...

Happy Anniversary! And thanks for the blog comment! I would love for C and A to meet also. We should have a play date with Julie =)

Rachel said...

Happy Anniversary! How beautifully written. Praying for many more years for you both together.
Rachel in PA

Emily said...

Happy Anniversary! What a sweet sentiment!

Brandi said...

How sweet! Happy Anniversary (belated).