Marriage

  • A couple is standing in front of each other.

    Still Husband and Wife


    August 10th was my 24th Wedding Anniversary! In the year of COVID, I’ve learned you just need to celebrate anything and everything you can. There’s so much “junk” going on in the world right now, so we took a moment to celebrate something so fun!

    Remember, during all this crummy stuff happening, there are some good things as well. Search those out. Focus on those.

    Much love, my friends!

    https://youtu.be/4cY5y0XcfwA

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  • Notes—Week of Love


    For today’s Love Themed-This Writer’s Journey I have to mention my sweet hubby.

    Now, I know, it’s Friday and you’re like, “Oh, enough lovey-dovey.”

    Humor me, it’s just one more day, k?

    Celebrating fifteen years of marriage is super-exciting. And heck, the fact that I still kinda LIKE the guy, is even more exciting.

    All joking aside…..I really wouldn’t be where I am when it comes to my writing had he not given me the support I needed to keep moving ahead.

    So, I took some of the notes he’s given me over the last year and snapped a picture.

    ~~~~

    ~~~~

    How sweet is that? It’s those little surprises and notes of encouragement that really kept me going. And his belief in me. It made me believe in myself a little more to keep moving forward.

    So, thanks, honey. I’m so glad you’re along me on this journey of Life!

  • Happy Anniversary


    We didn't see each other before the service, so pictures were taken after. . .

    ***Here is a repost of one of my favorites from the last Week of Love***

    When it came to choosing a person to do the scripture readings at our wedding, I didn’t hesitate–Lynn & RG Boeyink. That’s Charlie’s Mom and Dad.

    First, they’re awesome role models (married 43 years now!) Second, their faith continually astounds me. Third–well, there is no third, I just KNEW they were the people to do it.

    But when Lynn and RG made their way to the podium, I got a little nervous because I saw Lynn carrying a piece of paper.

    It was then that I knew she’d written something down.

    It was then that I knew, I would need Kleenx–lots of them.

    She just has a way with words . . . So, here is what she read.

    Not an eye was dry in the church.

    Enjoy, and be sure to stop by tomorrow, because my sweet hubby is breaking down his TOP TEN most favorite love songs. And he knows how to pick them, let me tell you.

    ~~~

    When was it Love?

    By Lynn Boeyink

    I wore my mom's wedding dress. My diamond is Charlie's mom's engagement diamond.

    Little did you two know that on the campus in Marshall, Minnesota, you would meet, eventually fall in love with, and today marry each other. As the months and years passed at Southwest State and the friendships came and went, you established yourselves there, chose your fields of study, worked and played, and the awareness of one another became more real.

    But when what is love?

    Was it a glimmer of in your smiles that set the world in fire or was it in the eyes that sparkle and light up a room?

    Perhaps there was something unique in that friendly manner and charm that seemed to be so natural. Or was it that confident style that told everyone you met that you could conquer any task or problem that came your way?

    Was it a sense of love on those first few dates when you were convinced that this is one very special person? Or, was it when the realization that your life goals and commitment to hard work were similar or when you realized that your enjoyment of the outdoors and sports were compatible?

    This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad on my wedding day

    Perhaps it was love when you learned of one another’s faith in Jesus Christ and that you both had a desire to be a part of the world around you but not to live by worldly standards. Maybe it grew to be real love as your time together became more and more cherished and your time apart more uncomfortable.

    It must have been true love when you looked into one another’s eyes and finally knew deep in your hearts that you wanted to be together forever.

    But you do know, don’t you, that it really was love long before you ever met, before your first date, even before you left home to venture out on your own to make your way in the world. Before you did any of these things—it was love!

    It was love because God says in his word, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.” and He says, ‘I know the plans I have for you…plants to give you home and a future.”

    So you see, it was love for you when you committed to each other, but God loved you long before that, His love is eternal, and his plans for you stand firm forever.

    It was love for you before you were ever born, because God said so. He planned it that way. May you grow in this love for each other with time knowing always that your union is part of God’s divine plan for your lives.

    You may kiss the bride. Bonded for life now and happy to be.

    ~~~

    So, what’s your love story?

  • Throwback Thursday–Week of Love


    Love Songs . . . The’ve been around forever. Some good ones, some great ones, some with great lyrics, some from great movies.

    I’m guest blogging today to give you my top 10 love songs. When I hear these, I think of the wonderful woman I married 14 years ago.

    I hope some of these remind you of your special someone too.

    10. Giving You the Best that I Got, by Anita Baker. Her unique voice has always intrigued me. The lyrics of this song are strong. Perfect theme song for a marriage.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsMHjbfFEjU]

    9. More Than a Woman, by the Bee Gees. I know it’s disco, in fact it’s from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Listen to the lyrics on this one. Great words a husband would say to his wife.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK67GCIPaF4]

    8. I Melt With You, by Modern English. Another movie song. Can you name it? Yep “Valley Girl”. Premise of the song: I would stop everything to be with you. Pretty cool. Great one hit wonder by the way.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuN6gs0AJls]

    7. Biggest Part of Me, by Ambrosia. First of all I think David Pack has one of the best pop voices ofall time. This song has got to be on you “Light Hits of the 70’s” CD

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QIWtY7gzvA]

    6. Endless Love, sung by 2 powerhouses–Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Also a movie song. But WOW, so powerful.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnfwnOp6uek]

    5. I Love You More Today than Yesterday, by Spiral Staircase. Up beat catchy tune, but great lyrics. Older song, hopefully some of you remember it.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqHlv1YPe0]

    4. Tender Love, by Force MCs. Something about it. Just a real simpletune. Some songs you can tell are sung from the heart….this is one of them.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x0T5UIBngQ]

    3. I Live For Your Love, by Natalie Cole. If I had to guess I would say this song was personal for her. It came out in the late 80’s. Cole had struggled with addiction, etc and this song most likely was about someone special in her life.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zroDrTwgRTw]

    2. The Closer I Get to You, by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway. “by giving me all you’ve got….your love has captured me” Powerful lyrics. Flack’s voice is beautiful. I almost put this at number 1.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T7NLqMGEck]

    1. True, by Spandau Ballet. Chosen more for the production than the lyrics. Love the bass line, but love the lyric: “head over heels when toe to toe…this is the sound of my soul” the lead singer seems to bare his soul when singing this.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e4WLdLNajs&feature=av2n]

    ~~~

    There you have it–My top 10 songs that speak of LOVE.

    Hug the one you love tonight…and heck maybe even play one of these tunes for ’em.

    Lets hear some of your favorites!

  • When was it Love? –Week of Love


    We didn't see each other before the service, so pictures were taken after. . .

    When it came to choosing a person to do the scripture readings at our wedding, I didn’t hesitate–Lynn & RG Boeyink. That’s Charlie’s Mom and Dad.

    First, they’re awesome role models (married 43 years now!) Second, their faith continually astounds me. Third–well, there is no third, I just KNEW they were the people to do it.

    But when Lynn and RG made their way to the podium, I got a little nervous because I saw Lynn carrying a piece of paper.

    It was then that I knew she’d written something down.

    It was then that I knew, I would need Kleenx–lots of them.

    She just has a way with words . . . So, here is what she read.

    Not an eye was dry in the church.

    Enjoy, and be sure to stop by tomorrow, because my sweet hubby is breaking down his TOP TEN most favorite love songs. And he knows how to pick them, let me tell you.

    ~~~

    When was it Love?

    By Lynn Boeyink

    I wore my mom's wedding dress. My diamond is Charlie's mom's engagement diamond.

    Little did you two know that on the campus in Marshall, Minnesota, you would meet, eventually fall in love with, and today marry each other. As the months and years passed at Southwest State and the friendships came and went, you established yourselves there, chose your fields of study, worked and played, and the awareness of one another became more real.

    But when what is love?

    Was it a glimmer of in your smiles that set the world in fire or was it in the eyes that sparkle and light up a room?

    Perhaps there was something unique in that friendly manner and charm that seemed to be so natural. Or was it that confident style that told everyone you met that you could conquer any task or problem that came your way?

    Was it a sense of love on those first few dates when you were convinced that this is one very special person? Or, was it when the realization that your life goals and commitment to hard work were similar or when you realized that your enjoyment of the outdoors and sports were compatible?

    This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad on my wedding day

    Perhaps it was love when you learned of one another’s faith in Jesus Christ and that you both had a desire to be a part of the world around you but not to live by worldly standards. Maybe it grew to be real love as your time together became more and more cherished and your time apart more uncomfortable.

    It must have been true love when you looked into one another’s eyes and finally knew deep in your hearts that you wanted to be together forever.

    But you do know, don’t you, that it really was love long before you ever met, before your first date, even before you left home to venture out on your own to make your way in the world. Before you did any of these things—it was love!

    It was love because God says in his word, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.” and He says, ‘I know the plans I have for you…plants to give you home and a future.”

    So you see, it was love for you when you committed to each other, but God loved you long before that, His love is eternal, and his plans for you stand firm forever.

    It was love for you before you were ever born, because God said so. He planned it that way. May you grow in this love for each other with time knowing always that your union is part of God’s divine plan for your lives.

    You may kiss the bride. Bonded for life now and happy to be.

    ~~~

    So, what’s your love story?

  • Happy Weekend


    ~~~

    Yeah, it’s the weekend!! My sweet hubby has whisked me away to celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary!

    The official day is AUGUST 10th, but still, this’ll work since the tenth is in the middle of the week.

    So, be sure to come back next week as I celebrate with a Week of Love on the blog next week.

    My characters might even make a surprise visit to share their love stories with us. . .