Happy Anniversary

Happy 13th Anniversary to my Prince Charming (a day early)!

I have always loved the poem “These Hands”.  I think it really does explain the relationship between a married couple.

I was thinking about this poem as our 13^th anniversary approaches.  Thirteen years of marriage.  We have been together for 17 years – nearly half of my life.  I know some people speak of the “one that got away”….I have never thought that.  Mark is my one….and he will continue to be the one as years pass.  I can’t imagine my life now if Mark was not a part of it.

So here is my version of Mark’s Hands.

These are the hands that led me around a dance floor the night we met.  These are the hands that continue to hold doors for me.  These are the hands that held mine as he proposed and placed my engagement ring on my finger.  These are the hands that held mine as we wed and danced the night away.  These are the hands that taught me how to hold a catfish, drive a tractor, use a riding mower, and back up a trailer.  These are hands that held me tight as I cried sitting on the kitchen floor when I told him we would probably never be parents.  These are the hands that held mine through each doctor’s appointment, negative pregnancy test, needle pokes, and mood swings.  These are the hands that held me tight as we cried hearing our unborn son’s heartbeat for the first time.  These are the hands that held mine when Dominic and Luke took their first breaths of life.  These are hands that held me close as we sat on the bathroom floor and grieved the loss of our unborn child.  These are the hands that learned to change diapers, feed bottles, and nurse a bloody knee.  These are the hands that couldn't wait to hold his 3^rd son in his arms.   These are the hands that love being a father and a husband.

These are the hands, while some times calloused and older now, are the hands that made a promise a long time ago.  These hands promised to be there no matter what.  These hands hold up 4 other people and we all know his strength and love is enough.

These hands promised forever and for always. 

These hands promised for better and for worse. 

Life just can’t get any better as long as Mark’s hands are holding mine.

Happy Anniversary, Babe.