I'll Love You Forever!

Dear Brian,

(The following is a love note I wrote on Valentine's Day 2008, but it bears repeating to remind you of some of the reasons I love you today, on our 23rd wedding anniversary.)

Valentine's Day twenty years ago is a day that still stands out in my mind even after all these years. We were on the beautiful tropical island of Guam where we had met a few months before. It was a Sunday afternoon and we had enjoyed lunch together. A few days before that you had announced to me that you loved me, and wanted to commmit yourself to loving me for the rest of my life! Such honesty and, forgive the term, *purpose-driven dating* was quite new to me and I was surprised by your forthrightness! And yet, in the five months that I had known you I had come to recognize this as characteristic of your life. You are still the most clear thinking and articulate person I have ever met!

So, I had been mulling your declaration over and over in my mind and the question that I asked you that Valentine's Day was, "How do you know that I am the one?" Your reply was that biblical love is a commitment made once the whole person had been objectively evaluated, good and bad, and based on everything that you knew about me, you were ready to make that commitment! Well, it only took a few minutes to let you know that my secret list of all I had prayed for in "Mr. Wonderful" had already been checked off as I had gotten to know you, and if it really was that clear and simple, then, wow!... "I love you, too!"

That was a nice start, and you have been teaching me about Biblical love for 20 years now in many ways....

I love how you are so committed to teaching me and our children the Word of God. You continue on reading the Bible to us, taking the interruptions and distractions in stride, and looking forward in faith to the great things that God will do with His word in our lives. I also love how you constantly talk to us about what you are studying and learning.

I love how you show that you are thinking about me even when we are apart. When you call me just to check in and offer an encouraging word to press on, or show up with my favorite dark chocolate treat, you are saying, “You are on my mind!”

I love how you joyfully shoulder the responsibility of being Dad to our eight children. I know that it is a great task and no one is able to do it to God’s glory without His enabling. And so you have continued to ask for strength and wisdom and God is using you greatly in the lives of all of our kids.

I love how you have set the example of dealing graciously with people. You have taught me so much about this through your example with our children. Often you have diffused a conflict or soothed an upset child by your gracious words and your humility that allows you to ask forgiveness and see their side.

I love how you have loved me enough to confront sin when you see it, and show me a more God-honoring way. Recently you pointed out that I needed to work on “sweetness of speech” with one of our children. Your admonition was needed and the loving way that you brought it to my attention made it easy to see that you were right. Thanks!

I love how integrity guides you. Your example of striving to do what is right (in little and big things) will be a great legacy for our children. I have told you often that it is quite convicting to live with you at times…and that is certainly to my great benefit!

I also love how willing you have always been to make sacrifices for our family. I am astounded and so grateful for the amount of time that you have given to lead our 14 year homeschool venture! Your leadership over this and actually overseeing the high school years has made this dream a reality.

Brian, I am so thankful for the opportunity to tell the world that you are a great gift of love, protection, wisdom, and blessing to me straight from the hand of the Lord. I am forever changed because of it.

I love you so much,

Myra