Then...
December 2, 1995
Now...
Kind of...this was about a year ago. Since I am always taking the pictures, I don't have any of the two of us.
Happy Anniversary Dave (I hope he actually reads this one)!
Love, actually....
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Over the years, Dave and I have been speakers and coaches for couples who are preparing for marriage in our church. One of the topics we have spoken about is "choosing to love." I will never forget hearing my husband tell young couples that love is an action. I remember him explaining that in marriage you decide to love one another day after day after day. It is not a feeling. It does not just keep happening. I knew that to be true (I even studied it in grad school). But my husband truly lives these words. He chose to love me when I was diagnosed with MS (incorrectly) and I could not walk up the stairs. He has loved me when the medicine made me so ill I was either at the hospital or in bed for days. He nursed me and took care of our children while I recovered. He chooses to love me when I am being type A and "particular." Trust me, that alone is challenging. He takes care of me. Today, we have been married for 13 years. My husband still makes me laugh and we choose every day to be best friends and to love one another. For me, it is an easy choice.
Your new header is BEAUTIFUL!!! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary Kim and dave!! I love what you wrote. I feel the same way. The best advice you can give someone entering marriage is to understand that love is not bliss and it has to be worked on daily. Marriage is not easy-- it is work and it has it's ups and downs but comittment is paramount and working on your marriage is necessary. I love what you wrote-- happy anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteChristy :)
Happy Anniversary to a beautiful couple both inside and out. Hope you had a wonderful day together. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to a most beautiful couple!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious tribute to REAL love in action, Kim!!!
And interestingly enough...I must share with you that as Chelsi and I did our Bible Study tonight....we read 1 Cor. 13. So POWERFUL! Although I practically have it memorized...I gain new insights each time I read it.
Dave is so wise in knowing that Love is indeed THE action.... if FAITH (the foundation) and HOPE (the attitude) are in line, then Love (the action) comes easily... it is the action that occurs BECAUSE you understand HOW God loves!!.
Chelsi's words to me (after reading the chapter) were as follows:
" For the most part, love involves serving others unselfishly. Therefore, as you give/serve freely, your character, kindness and caring attitude is evident!".
Out of the mouths of babes!
Have a most blessed anniversary, my friend!
Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! Happy anniversary.
Rachel
Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures as always and such beautiful words.....very true! I always say it is unconditional love....and it is so apparent that you two truly love each other unconditionally! I hope that you two have many, many happy years ahead of you!
Enjoy your special day!
Lisa
I almost forgot.....Love the new Christmas look!!
ReplyDeleteYou looked great then and you look great now. What an awesome marriage you have. Yes, you have to choose to love and cherish the differences. Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Wonderful post
ReplyDeleteKim
Happy Anniversary to one of my favorite couples! I have seen first hand your love for eachother and I thank you for the example that you set for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteLove you guys~
Happy Anniversary, Dave and Kim! You two are a fabulous couple! I hope you have many more happy years together!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! May God bless you with many more happy years together.
ReplyDeleteI love the message that LOVE is an action, not a feeling. Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! You were a beautiful brides! We too are about to celebrate 13 years.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary...
ReplyDeleteYou are an AMAZING Couple..
Hugs girly..
Love the new look on your blog..
Happy Anniversary! This was such a beautiful post to read!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. Happy Anniversary! Hope you have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHillary and I just watched Love, Actually on Sunday night. You're right. Love is an action.
Congratulations on 13 years of wedded bliss!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible man you married... and clearly he feels the same way about you :)
Love the new blog! Makes me feel all Christmas-y!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! You two make a very special (and adorable) couple !
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to a couple I love dearly....
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post - Happy Anniversary! Love your new Christmas look on your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! It is so wonderful to see people devoted to each other through the passage of time and life events. A lot don't make it and I LOVE to see two people still loving (not "in" love) each other and sacrificing for each other every day.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
so sweet!!!
ReplyDeletecongratulations...what a winner!
xo
Anniversary blessings to two blessed people. Love is indeed an action. The other thoughts on marriage and family relationships that have really stuck with me come from the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff:" it's more important to be loving than to be right sometimes.
ReplyDeleteKim-
ReplyDeleteWe were married seven days after you and Dave! Hope you have a lovely anniversary! (December is SUCH a wonderful month to celebrate enduring love!!!!)
Happy Anniversary! You guys haven't changed a bit! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary to a beautiful couple! LOVE the pictures of you two. And you got a great guy :). I think he is pretty lucky too!
ReplyDeleteBon Anniversaire!! I love couples who decide to love like you do! If only everyone would! Can you imagine what the world would be like!?!? Thanks for being such a fabulous role model. I know you must influence so many people! Bailey's Birthday is today too! She is 3.
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas header too!!!
I love the picture of your wedding day! My husband and I did a "Preparing for Marriage" course, assessment and mentoring program with a couple who had been happily married for a number of years. Since we dated and were engaged for a short period of time we thought it was absolutely the best thing for us! It gave us tools and skills for success in our marriage! :) God Bless you Kim!!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful, heartfelt words. Happy Anniversary to you both!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!!!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! Enjoy your special day!
I love your new Christmas look for your blog!
Dawn
Happy anniversary to you both!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, love is a verb.
happy anniversary!!! love the new look for christmas!
ReplyDeleteHappy 13th Anniversary, you two make a wonderful couple! The years have been very kind to you both! My husband and I are celebrating our Anniversary today too!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Cindy
Happy Anniversary! Jase and I celebrated 12 years this past Sunday! What a crazy time of year we chose to get married but I just love it! This was a great post...hope you have a fantastic day!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Happy Anniversary. You guys look the same, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShauna
Hello my sweet friend - Happy Anniversary. You and Dave truly do reflect Christ's beautiful love in your marriage - it is something to behold. Blessings as you celebrate another year together. Wishing you God's richest treasures in the year to come.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look and I LOVED the Santa post - Kate's dress is magnificent and she had such fun and those boys capture my heart with every mischieveous twinkle in their eye!
I am finally climbing out after Em's unfortunate battle with the plague!
So great to see you all and see life resume normalcy:) Made my day.
Love,
Heather
Happy Anniversary, Kim and Dave! May you enjoy many, many more years of love and happiness together.
ReplyDeletePS Your new Christmas banner is BEAUTIFUL!!
Well said!! Congratulations! I must admit you have a very thoughtful husband who makes awesome apple pies!
ReplyDeleteNeither one of you has aged AT ALL in thirteen years! Congratulations...I think God did a great job putting you two together! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love that....never heard it summed up that way but totally agree. Happy Anniversary to you both!
ReplyDeleteps...another new look and I love it!
Happy Anniversary Kim and Dave! Is is possible that you look even happier than on your wedding day!?
ReplyDeleteYou have endured so much over this past year, I pray that today is a special one for you both and that you get to carve some time out for just the two of you.
Love ya!
Congratulations on 13 blessed years!
ReplyDeleteI hope that when I am getting married that we are lucky enough to have someone like you and Dave as our mentors. You seem to be the most kind and good-hearted family!
PS - LOVE the new header!
Happy Anniversary and many years to come.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! You don't look a day older than you did in your wedding picture! Doug and I will celebrate 13 years,too, next July and I,too, have always believed that love, and happiness, for the most part is a choice.
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures of your kiddos with Santa! Kate's expressions are so cute and the boys, as always, look so handsome.
Gin
Oh, how true! So many these days just don't get it and quit way to easily and don't even try to work on it. We share Dave's veiw... it indeed is an action. Happy Anniversary! Pretty Banner too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! What a gorgeous couple you are!
ReplyDeleteLove, Love, Love your blog makeover! Happy Anniversary!!! Here's to many more!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! What a wonderful post. Wishing you many years of happiness.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I love the new look!!!! So festive! Happy Anniversary!!! Isn't marriage wonderful (well on most days LOL). It's a wonderful feeling to be married to your best friend. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to a beautiful couple! Wishing you many more wonderful years ahead!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! Congratulations on 13 years with so many, many more ahead!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Your words were exactly what I needed to hear today! I've also been married for 13 years and at times I do forget Love is a decision not a feeling! Hope you had a great day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! You two look great!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! My husband and I talk about it all the time and feel it is so true!
Happy Anniversary Kim & Dave!! PS - I love the new header and the picture, way too cute!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Kim!! What beautiful photos of the two of you! How blessed your children are to see Mommy and Daddy loving one another! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I talked to you yesterday and I did not know it was your anniversary!!!! Blessings to a wonderful couple for many many more years of making a difference in the lives of your kids, your friends and family, and each other!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Diana
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing your wonderful post. How true it is.
ReplyDeleteHere's to you and your husband and many more years of marital bliss!!!
happy anniversary kim and dave!! you have a wonderful marriage and are so lucky to have each other...your wedding picture is beautiful! XOXO, Clare
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteTerri (daisybox)
Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteTerri (daisybox)
Happy Anniversary!! What a beautiful couple you make. I just LOVE your wedding picture. I can only imagine what a beautiful day it was!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Chesnye
Awe Happy Anniversary..how special and love the pictures of the 2 of you together. Dec 2nd is a great day for a wedding and for a birthday..hee hee mine that is;) Hope you have many many more wonderful years together:)
ReplyDeleteJanice
Happy Anniversary! You haven't changed a bit since your wedding day.
ReplyDelete