2014 is the year I turn 49.95 plus tax. Because of that, I am giving myself permission to post some sappy, grab-a-tissue kind of posts. As far as I am concerned, turning 50 is a major milestone…not one I am particularly thrilled about, but a milestone, nonetheless. In fact, I’m thinking that I might go backward on birthdays from now on. I’ll see how that works out for me.
I’m giving you fair warning, there WILL BE some sappy posts tapped out on my keyboard this year. And, they will be posted here. If you are not into SAP, then by all means, hit delete. If you are partial to SAP, grab a tissue and let’s get moving…the year is not going to last forever.
My first sappy post is a letter to my husband on the occasion of our 19th wedding anniversary.
17 January 2014
Dear Greg,
Nineteen years ago today I stood at the front of the Susan B. Harris Chapel on the campus of Young Harris College and took wedding vows before God, Dr. Gerald Harris, you, and a few family and friends.
On that morning, I promised to love you and honor you. In these nineteen years, I have not always done either well, yet here we are, still together, and loving each other more than we ever imagined possible.
I would be a liar if I said it had been easy. Marriage is not easy, and there have been times it would have been preferable to walk away than to stay. Marriage requires the laying aside of selfish desires, and seeking the good of the other person. That never comes naturally or easily. Marriage also requires a generous dose of humility and sacrifice, and unfortunately I have not been the best at either. There were days I felt that I got the short end of the stick. I KNOW there were days you felt the same way. Still, we have walked together nineteen years. God doesn’t always give us what we want, but He always gives us what we need. You, my knight in shining camo, are what I need.
Marriage necessitates an enormous supply of humor, and we have had some incredibly wonderful and fun times. I loved riding behind you on the Harley, holding onto you as the road and miles gathered behind us. You have taught me to love and UNDERSTAND football. I never imagined I would proudly wear Georgia red and black, but you have turned me into a Bulldog. (If that isn’t humorous, I don’t know what is!) Your love of shooting and guns has been instilled in me. I will never be the marksman you are, however, I can hit a target pretty darned well. The many hours we spent out in the field watching General and Jake work gave me a deep love for all things bird dog. While I don’t want to shoot the birds or eat them, I am completely taken by the beauty and awe of a bird dog doing what God created them to do.
A very successful hunt!
You are a man of integrity and character. The fact that you spent every other weekend for 17 years driving four hours each way to Birmingham, Alabama and back to visit your son, Charlie, is evidence of that. Charlie has a dad who sacrificed in amazing ways to stay in his life. That is character and integrity at their pinnacle. You work hard to support our family. You are the best dentist ever. Period. Your love for Bree, our daughter-from-another-family, has tendered my heart toward you in new ways that I never dreamed possible. You encourage her, love on her, pray for her, and give her wise advice.
I love it when you get so tickled that the tears run down your face and you can’t even talk. I love seeing you in camo. You are outrageously sexy in camo, and in your motorcycle leathers. I love hearing the sound of your Expedition driving into the driveway. I am comforted and secure when I reach over and feel you laying beside me at night. You are the romantic in the family…me, not so much. You send me cards that whisper of moonbeams and stars. You are always finding a new song on the radio for me to listen to that reminds you of something in our life. I think you miss me when I am gone overnight. I know I miss you when you are gone. You bless my heart so much when you pray with me. You have always loved my parents well. I am blessed incredibly to be part of your family. You rarely seek the limelight, and I love how humble you are about your past achievements. You are a steadying force in my life…the one who keeps me humble and grounded.
Greg Adams, you are a blessing sent straight from the holy hand of God to me, and I wish it had not taken us so long to get the message from God that we belong together. I know I’ve not always been the wife you deserve, yet we persevered. I’m so thankful we did. We’ve come a long way, baby!
Happy Anniversary, Greg. I love you to the moon and back and always will.
