Last year I wrote about my 20th wedding anniversary. We almost didn’t make it to 20, but here I am a year later and here we are still making it.
Twenty-one years ago in the mountains of Tennessee I said “I do.”
I could never have known what I was saying I would do. Almost three years in and two kids out we separated. We agreed we needed a few weeks to think. But young love wasn’t enough to cover the hurt we had caused each other so after being separated almost two years we divorced.
Our two little ones kept us connected though. After three years of being apart, he invited me to dinner one night and we were married again three months later. On the same date as our original wedding – August 12th.
We both thought the worst was behind us. We moved to Texas to build a new life and before we celebrated our second 1 year wedding anniversary we had our third child. Things were really good. We enjoyed living in Texas for a couple of years but after a company layoff we moved back to our hometown.
The hard times came really hard. The most devastating of all came over two years ago. It almost destroyed us. Other trials came too. The kind not uncommon to others. The kind that comes with managing a household with 2 full-time jobs, raising 3 kids, and caring for aging parents. All of this while trying to stay connected.
The hard times hit but they didn’t beat us. We chose to stay.
We are choosing to stay.
We choose to stay because we love each other and we love each other because we choose to stay. It’s hard work. It’s painful and awkward and tiring. God has made what we thought was impossible – done. We have experienced the freedom of giving and receiving forgiveness.
God changed our hearts. He is still changing our hearts.
Both times I said “I do” I didn’t give much thought to our 21st anniversary. It seemed so far away. I don’t think I would have expected it to be this way.
But here we are fighting for our marriage, for our family. After twenty-one years we are learning to trust. We are learning how to love each other and we are getting better at it. I’m thankful that we are giving each other the chance to grow.
We wished each other a happy anniversary this morning. We kissed each other when I left for work. He has to work tonight so we will put off our anniversary dinner. Maybe we’ll go to dinner this weekend. Hopefully.
If not, we’ll have a really good conversation anyway. That’s something else we’re learning to do. We listen better now. We love each other more.
We’re getting better and better at this.
Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32 NCV
mariegriffith.me 
LOVE!
Thank you. You and Jason and your prayers have been part of what God has used to get us here. Love you!
Congratulations. I like how you say that you’re fighting for it. It is a day-by-day thing. I think we all forget that sometimes. And, choosing to love. Not waiting for the feelings, those flighty intangibles, but choosing the actions of love. Good post.
Thank you Russell. It’s a good fight.
What a great story that reaffirms God is always working in our lives. Marriage is the toughest job I ever had but the benefits are the best of any job I ever had. Though my story is not the same but we have had the ups and downs and with God, love, & hard work on 12/30/15 we will celebrate our 43rd anniversary and look forward to many more.
Keep up the good work & look forward to many more years.
Lyle
Lyle, thank you. WOW! 42 years and still going strong. Now that’s what I call success!!
thank you – we’re headed for 24 this year – less than two months from now… times have been rough lately and we’ve been dealing with a lot aging parents and ones who’ve passed away leaving behind huge holes and doubts between us…great message. congratulations, keep moving forward.
Clay, glad you enjoyed the post. Keep fighting for your marriage. You won’t regret it.
Wisdom is a gift and you have it…congratulations on your attitude and determination,,I hope you have another 21 years plus😀😀
You are so kind. Any wisdom I have came from the first 21 years so I’m with you about hoping to have 21 more. Thank you.
What a story Marie, congratulations and wish you God’s blessing in your future life together .Marriages do need couples to be determined to work at them to stay together.
Thank you. Yes it is hard work but well worth it. My parents worked through many difficult times and were married 51 years. It was amazing to watch!!
Marie I have been married for 22 years and the last 10 have been miserable.My wife and I have separate lives she does her thing and I do mine.There has been so much hurt between us that I am having a hard time with forgiveness .I feel like our marriage is over I no longer love her the way I did when we got married.How do you get over years of verbal abuse I need some advise please.Thanks and I am glad I found your blog .You found your true calling congrats on the article
I’m sorry for your hurt. But I know this: it is possible for your marriage to heal and for it to be really good. Even better than you imagined. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Ask God to give you the courage to forgive, choose it, then watch Him change your heart. Thank you for the encouraging words about my writing.