Any idea what you were doing January 29, 1994? For most everyone reading this blog it was just another ordinary day that meshed in with all the rest. Not me. That was the day I had dreamed about since I was a little girl. The day I had imagined in my mind over and over for years...even before I knew who would fill the role of the groom! It was a dream come true in every way imaginable. (especially the groom!) Tomorrow marks 17 years since I became the wife of my best friend in the world....and the crazy part is, the dream is still going strong.
We went to school together since 6th grade, but didn't really know each other well until our Junior year in highschool. Our first date? A double date with other people...yep, Kenny was with my good friend and I was with one of his football friends. I never could figure out why that guy never asked me out again. I felt sure he would and I hate to admit I waited by the phone a number of nights wondering if he would call. I didn't find out until a year or two later that Kenny had told him I wasn't interested, & that's why I never received anymore calls from that fella...and the rest is history! 4 1/2 years later our wedding day finally came, and sometimes I still can't believe how good I've got it. I certainly don't mean life is easy and we have it all figured out., but we are genuinely more in love with each other today than we ever were years ago. Some say that's just the way it's supposed to be, but the truth is, we all know that's not how it usually is in this day and time. I can't really explain it, but all I know is that the privilege of walking through this journey of life with this man at my side is more than I deserve. He is confident, yet amazingly humble. He is wise beyond his years, yet can hang out and talk with even the "least of these" and do so in such a way that makes others just enjoy hanging out with him. He's a hard worker, a servant, a leader. He's passionate about life and about everything he puts his hand to. He is always talking to those he teaches, coaches, as well as our own children, about making the most of every opportunity and beginning with the end in mind. In other words, if we fast forward our lives to our deathbed, what things really matter in that moment...REALLY. If you let yourself linger there a while it's actually quite overwhelming. The only thing that matters is your relationship with God, and behind that is your relationship with your family and the impact your life had on others. If those are the only things that really matter at the end of this life, then why do we all live in pursuit of so many other things that have no real meaning? Kenny is certainly human, but it is inspiring to watch someone live their life on a day to day basis who genuinely lives like there's no tomorrow.
He loves me and our children with a love that is not of this world. Just watching him be the daddy he is to our children makes me fall in love with him more and more. He's competitive and crazy with them and laughs a lot, but knows when to be firm and make the most of those teachable moments life just brings about every day. He has loved me through the good times and the hard times and been there for me through everything on my lovliest days and my not so lovely days! I know our children are getting to go through life seeing a Mama and Daddy who love each other so much, love Jesus, and laugh together, hang out together, and enjoy them together. He is the absolute best friend I could ever ask for. In some ways it seems like we should still be 16 years old hanging out in History class, but somehow I blinked and here we are 21 plus years later just loving each other and figuring out this journey together.
I feel led to close with this final thought. Ladies who may be waiting on that special guy to come into your life, if I could say anything to you about your future I would say this. Don't you dare settle. Don't miss out on what God has for you...His best. I've heard it said that "good is the enemy of great" Don't settle for "good" when God has something around the corner for you that is so great, so divine, it could only come from Him.
Here are a few pictures of our journey together so far!
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| In highschool working on a project at my house |
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| Junior prom 1990 |
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| Senior prom-1991 |
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| College days (Union University) |
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| Wedding reception 1994 |
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| Wedding day January 29, 1994 |
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Married housing (our first home...a.k.a. our little concrete box!) We thought it was the most beautiful little place in the world!  Heading home from the hospital with our first baby...Jake September, 1997 Here after with Jake (3 years old) and Caleb (6 months)  Kenny & me in Maui! (went as chaperones with TCA's senior trip) LOVED it there!!! Spring, 2001  In September, 2002 the twins were added to our bunch of boys! This photo taken fall, 2004  Family picture...one of my all time favorites (morethanasnapshot photography-thanks to my friend, Kaka)
 ...and our first little red-headed boy, Z in March, 2009 (this was fall, 09) |
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| Ken & me 2009 |
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| Christmas 2009 |
Dallas Family Summer, 2010
I do remember where I was 17 years ago....watching my sweet friend marry her best friend!! I was honored to celebrate with you then and thankful to celebrate with you now! As one who is still waiting ( and has considered giving up on more than one occasion) thanks for reminding me that GREAT is worth the wait!!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, it made me so happy to see your comment! Yes, my sweet friend, you were there! You remember those first days of Kenny and me going to proms and sitting in history class, don't you?! What fun memories back to good old White Station! I love how you put it..."great is worth the wait!" That's it in a nutshell! Love you!
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