23 years ...

" ....for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

On an incredibly hot and humid Saturday morning,in Upstate New York,23 years ago,Mark and I spoke these very words to each other.No way to know back then how much we would be tested on nearly all those scenarios.But here we are.Still standing and trying,each day, to remain true and faithful to every,single,solitary word.Has it been easy?Not always.But then again, who said it would be?Maybe back then, our young naive way of thinking,thought it would be,but life certainly has had a way of blowing that theory right out of the water.

I have been loved, for over 23 years,totally and completely unconditionally, by this husband of mine.In every sense of the word, unconditional.I am fully aware of my short comings,and trust me, there are many and Mark,has managed,on most days,to see right past them.And forgive them and in doing so, forgive me.I can count,on maybe one hand, the number of times Mark has raised his voice at me.In 23 years.On one hand.No lie.No exaggeration.Pretty amazing.He is my better half.The one who accepts me for who I am and more importantly,for who I am not.Mark would give me the world if he could.And just knowing he would,is all that truly matters.

23 years.6 beautiful children.One precious granddaughter.Our life is beautiful.Not always easy but always,always beautiful.

And just for some comedic relief,I thought I would show you what 23 years of marriage looks like.Courtesy of Jessica,on an evening when exhaustion won out.