The "I Do" of Matrimony

Fifty-five years ago today, I committed myself to the love of my life, and he made the same commitment to me. Before our pastor, families, and friends, we vowed to God that we would love and cherish each other come what may: for better or worse; richer or poorer, in sickness or health, till death do us part. The “I Do” was so easily said that evening with hearts full of love facing our new journey together. We were young—practically grew up together as husband and wife—and not so set in our ways. But sometimes, the “I Will” to those “I Dos” was challenging: We experienced the “worse” of circumstances and each other at times, but the better was weightier. The old saying, “Love is blind,” may be true because we were clueless about our poorer beginnings—we didn’t even own a vehicle! We had little materially—we were far richer in blessings and contentment. Though we both were in good health then, God carried us through many scary ordeals of “sickness” with our children and grandchildren. Today we sympathize and help with each other’s aches and pains in our golden years. Life has been and is still good. God, the center and priority of our marriage, has always been faithful. We have upheld our vows to Him and kept our commitment to each other. If and when death parts us, we will have few regrets. Happy anniversary and blessings to you, my love. I am blessed to have you "doing" life with me.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. . .; and He took one of his ribs, and. . . made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. . . Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 21–24).