Year Twenty-Two

The story goes...in no particular order:

• Moved seven times. Including my move to TN and the move from our SMALLtown apartment into the first house we ever bought.
• Earned three college degrees between us...he's still using his.
• Birthed two chi'ren....and my admiration for my boyos goes without saying.
• Buried four grandparents, an uncle and a father.
• Three surgeries.
• Troublesome toilets in EVERY house we've owned.
• Been part of three churches that have left significant imprints on our lives.
• Rejoiced in watching our boyos answer when Jesus knocked at the doors of their hearts.
• Mission trips to The Philippines, Ukraine, Mississippi, Kentucky, and New York.
• An AMAZING vacation on the lovely island of Oahu!
• Discovered the blessing of a good hairdresser and her skills of hair color (for me...not him).
• The purchase of my very first BRAND new car.
• Turning 30...I cried..it snowed and a week later I found out I was pregnant with Y2.
• Turning 40....no tears, no snow, no baby....but an incredible chocolate cake from Edgar's Bakery that my precious 1L bought for me.
• Totaling my mini-van....hail, Ruby!  She lives in our memories!
• Never once regretting my decision to marry what happens to be the sweetest boy to ever come out of beautiful east Tennessee.  I have NO clue what the next twenty-two years holds...I'm good to finish today and deal with tomorrow...but if it's anything like the first twenty-two, I'm in!

I love you, my dearest Mr. Snark.  It's harder for me to say it these days.  (Keeping it real, people.) And it doesn't have ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING you've done.  I find myself in a quiet place and as uncomfortable as that is for you and for me, it's just where I am...for now...for this season.  My thoughts run deep and I don't have the words for that depth.  Shocking, yes...I know!  Twenty-two years ago, I made promises that I intend to keep for my lifetime.  Whatever quietness may abound, those promises remain, as does my love.

Here's to the next twenty-two!