Monday, July 28, 2014

It's My 30th Wedding Anniversary Today


It is my honor and my privilege to say that today I have been married to my sweet husband for 30 years! Sometimes when I think back, it seems like it has been that long, and yet it seems like just a short time other days.

So many people today don't have marriages that last this long and I know I am blessed to be one who has had this 30 year journey with Rick. We have had our share of good days, bad days, really bad days, sickness, tragedy, and days that will be remembered and smiled about for as long as we both live.

Growing up I thought I knew exactly the kind of guy I wanted to marry. Actually when I was growing up just wanting to get married and have a family was not the thing to do. As a woman in the late 70's early 80's, I was expected to live for myself and think of my career possibilities, not marriage. But I didn't. I dreamed of the guy and the family to follow, and the home I would live in and build together with him.

It's been interesting to see how God took some dreams and gave me an amazing life with this husband of mine. What I thought I wanted is not what God knew I needed. I am so very thankful for that! If I had the guy I thought I should have way back when, I would have been miserable for the last 30 years with him, if we had even lasted that long.


One of my friends asked me recently if I had any regrets in my marriage. If I am to be totally honest I have to say yes, but not the kind of regrets you might think. I wouldn't want to change Rick into someone else. I wouldn't want to even change all the things that happened throughout the years, good or bad, those are the things that have formed and shaped the two of us into the people we are today. The regrets I have are not being the wife he deserves, the wife I was called to be by God. All too often I was overly selfish and self-centered. If most of you were honest with yourselves, you would probably say the same thing. So many decisions were made on my part to ease my discomfort and not to think of him or our family as well.

Despite some things I wish I had done differently, I can say that we have a very good marriage, not because of us, but because of what God has done through us and in us. The credit for our being together this long falls completely on God and our faith in Him. He is the center of our marriage, even when we forget it. He has blessed us abundantly and without Him we would not have lasted 30 years.

Our son Aaron sent me this message yesterday:
"Thanks for still being married. There are a lot of bad examples of not good marriage out there, so thanks for being a good one."
That was such a sweet thing to hear from him, but it's not because of us, it's because of Him who is in us, the same One who can do the same thing for any marriage!


So, it is my honor and my privilege to say that today I have been married 30 years to Rick Jones, and I am hoping the Lord gives us 30 more years together!

23 comments:

  1. Wishing you and your husband a very Happy Anniversary. Here's to many more.

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  2. Happy Anniversary! 30 years is a huge deal in today's time, which is actually kind of sad if you think about it.

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  3. Congratulations to you both. That's quite an accomplishment. I'm very happy for you.

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  4. ahh so sweet! Happy Anniversary!

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  5. That is awesome! Happy Anniversary to you both, and may you have many more happy years together! Love the pictures!

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  6. Wow !!! It is always great to see a long lasting and happy marriage. Congrats to you both !

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  7. Awww, what a great post! Happy Anniversary!

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  8. Congrats on 30 years! That is a huge thing nowadays. My parents have been married 31!

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  9. 30 years! Wow! I love seeing couples that have been together for such a while. It just goes to show that it's possible to find that one person that's really meant for you!

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  10. Wow, that note from your son is priceless!! Happy anniversary and praise God for keeping your marriage strong. My husband and I are getting ready to celebrate 14 and it's sad that in today's world, that seems like a really long time!! Proud of every year and can't wait to say that he and I are celebrating as many as you one day!!

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  11. Have a great day. Thirty years is awesome, I am on 23 years.

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  12. Congrats! That is a long time! I have been with my husband 6 yrs as of late oct!

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  13. Congrats and Happy Anniversary. 30 years shows you have the perfect balance. Heres to many more!

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  14. Wow, congratulations! You guys are a wonderful example! My parents didn't make it past 22 years and tbh it should've ended long before. It's fantastic to know that there are couples out there that make it and it's true love for the long haul. I'm headed toward my 10 year and I hope to one day be able to call it my 30th like you guys!

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  15. Awww! Happy Anniversary! I love your beautiful wedding photos. You look like a lovely couple.

    My parents were married nearly 50 years when my mom passed away in 2006 and my dad passed last year and never remarried. He did meet a nice lady that he became friends with.

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  16. Happy Anniversary! Here's wishing you many, many more!

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  17. Congratulations!! May you have 30 more years to celebrate wedded bliss!!

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  18. Congrats! My parents celebrate their 34th in September. I hope to one day find someone that will put up with me for 30 years...lol

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  19. Happy Anniversary!!!! What a milestone to achieve in a marriage! Your son's note was the sweetest!

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  20. Wow this is amazing! Congrats on 30 wonderful years and here's to 30 more! :)

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  21. Congrats on 30 years, that is amazing! I hope the next 30 are even better!

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