To Have and to Hold

On August 1, 1998 two naive kids committed to have and to hold, from this day forward. And Steve and I have been by each other's sides ever since. 

As a young lady I was easily distracted in my interests. But somehow this man has gotten a hold of my attention and hasn't let go. (I'm as surprised as you are!) Here we are, 19 years later, and I still daily anticipate Steve's his texts or calls, his handsome face, his arms around me, and him making me laugh. That's no exaggeration—I still want to be around him (pretty much) every day!

Maybe I enjoy Steve because he makes me better. Our conversations are challenging, encouraging, sometimes spirited. With him I feel more beautiful, more talented, and more confident than I truly am. God knew he's the motivation I'd need to try new things in life. In our marriage I've experienced new situations, new places, new perspectives, and I've taken risks I wouldn't have on my own. (Plus we have this amazing kiddo together who has been a bigger blessing than I could have anticipated. Not too shabby.)

All in all, I came out ahead these many years later. My heart is full, and my list of blessings is long. 

Happy anniversary, Steve. Love you.

Taken this past spring in Paris by our daughter—we forced her to commemorate a mushy moment.

The photo above is an homage to this one taken in 2005. On a trip to the Holy Land, our tour group swung by Paris for a brief stint on the way back to the U.S.