20 Years...

Yesterday Jason and I celebrated 20 years of marriage.

20 Years? It really doesn't seem like it for either us. We are both so thankful for our marriage and all that God has done in our lives since the day we first met at Evangel University in August 1991.

I am grateful that God brought Jason across my path one day to say "Hi". Little did I know that in just a few months of knowing him this handsome 19 year old guy would change my life forever. God knew the man that I would need to walk this life with and as I look back on who I was and who I have become Jason was the man I needed.

We married on March 4, 1994 in Springfield, Missouri where we were both living. I was working at Evangel in their Financial Aid department. Jason was finishing his last semester of college.

By our 5th anniversary we were living in New Jersey and found ourselves buying our first home in Haskell. I had just quit my job with KPMG to stay at home with the hope of starting a family. Jason was working for Presentation Systems. They were exciting years of setting up our home.

Two years later our princess, Sarah, was born.  
(Did we not have money for clothes? I'm still wearing the same overalls that I had two years prior!)

Our 10th anniversary found me at home taking care of Sarah and doing medical transcription. Jason was still working for Presentation Systems.

Three years later in 2007 our little bear arrived, Brayden. Our family of four felt complete.

By our 15th anniversary I was loving being at home with our beautiful kids. Sarah was in 2nd grade. Jason was working part-time with Presentation Systems and part-time as a pastor at Bethany Church.

At 20 years we are still living in Haskell, New Jersey. I am still able to stay home to take care of our kids and our home. Jason is the community life pastor at Bethany Church. Sarah is in 7th grade and Brayden is in Kindergarten.

We enjoyed celebrating our 20 years a bit early on Monday by having a nice lunch and time together.  Yesterday Jason had meetings at church and with our church district and would not be home until late in the evening. We are looking forward to taking a trip, just the two of us, at the end of May to South Carolina and Georgia to celebrate our 20 years. 

Our love has grown deeper and richer because of all that has taken place in our lives since we first met. We in no way have a perfect marriage, but in my opinion we have it pretty good. Jason is my best friend and I love the life God has given us to share together.

So here is to 20+ more years together. I can't wait to see what they hold in store for us.