We'll Build a Household of Faith...

Those are the lyrics to a song that was sung at our wedding seven years ago, and we are still singing it. "We will be a family in a house that will be a home, and with faith we'll build it strong. We'll build a household of faith, that together we can make, and when the strong winds blow it won't fall down. As love in Him will grow, then the whole world will know, we are a Household of Faith."

My sweet husband and I are celebrating seven years of marriage on Monday. In honor of our anniversary, I thought I'd share our "story." I love telling it and some of you (unless you tire of reading long-winded blogs!) might enjoy hearing it.

I was 18 when Jerry and I met for the first time. We were both music majors. I was a freshman, he was a senior...and a big man on campus. He was president of the University Choir at the school and was helping all incoming freshman and transfer students at choir auditions. I was very nervous, focused, and stressed. He says he thought I was cute and had a great smile (he just asked me to add that). Shortly thereafter, the president of the university died suddenly, and Jerry's choir sang at the memorial service. It was the first time I had ever hear them sing, and they were amazing. Afterwards, at the reception, I saw him across the crowded room (really, I did), and I made a beeline for him in my polka dot dress, where I fumbled all over myself to tell him how beautiful the choir sounded and how impressed I was. He was so handsome and he made my heart flitter flutter. I'm serious, don't laugh. He truly did. After making small talk, he invited me over to his house where he and his housemates were having a party/movie night. The only problem was...I had a date. So I did what every sensible girl would do...I brought my date with me! My date decided shortly after arriving that Jerry's party was lame and that we should go. I left begrudgingly to go to a wild beer party on campus, and after about five minutes I ditched him to go back to my future husband. Let's just say it was love at first sight. We were inseparable.

Jump ahead to the end of that year. Jerry graduated, I still had three years of school to finish. We were separated by distance, which is never easy, but we did our best to continue seeing each other. It was hard on the relationship, and we both tried to move on...never successfully. Even while dating other people, the two of us were always the standard by which we judged everyone else. One thing always remained...we were devoted to one another, in friendship and in love.

After many years of being on again, off again, I finally came to my senses and realized that if I didn't marry this man soon, he'd be permanently off the market and some other lucky woman would snatch him up. In fact, he was in a serious relationship at the time, but when she left town, he invited me to a show that he was doing. Mind you, I had recommitted my life to Christ, and I was living a different life than when he first met me. I knew God's plan was for me to have a man in my life that loved Him, and I was committed to waiting for whoever that was...but I always knew it was Jerry. The Lord was already at work in his life, and eight years later, the Lord made it clear that our time had come. The night of his show, Jerry sang a song that I knew was meant for me, and afterwards, I poured my heart out to him. I told him how I felt and we were back together...just like that!

One month later we were engaged, and one year later we were married in a beautiful ceremony at our church. One year later we were pregnant with our first-born, and seven years later we are the proud parents of two adorable boys.

I can honestly say that I am just as crazy about my man as I was the day I first met him. God knew how much I needed him, and I never cease thanking God every day for bringing him into my life fifteen years ago. As I look back on those early years, despite the fact that I travelled down some roads that I'm not particularly proud of, I wouldn't change a single thing. Every path led me to where I am today...in Jerry's arms.

We recently sang together for an event at our church. We love doing duets, but this one in particular really meant a great deal to us, because it truly encompasses our story. It's a song entitled, Bless the Broken Road.

Happy Anniversary, Honey. Here's to many, many more!