Friday, July 12, 2013

Together . . . Sharing His Love

I giggled when I saw this picture, because we've had frequent summer showers. The sky's poured rain like sand from a dump truck. In the midst of the weather, Chuck and I celebrate 37 years of marriage this month, starting with massages last night, continuing with a B & B tonight, and ending with horseback riding tomorrow, providing the showers hold off. 

But then, maybe we could don our umbrellas and ride anyway! Perhaps ride together with one heart-shaped umbrella covering us. Might be a bit awkward, but isn't marriage that way at times?

Awkward. Messy. Uncomfortable. 

With this anniversary, we purpose once again to hide ourselves under the umbrella of God's love, committed to working toward a common goal: share His love through our relationship, so that those around us might catch a glimpse of Him, maybe even ask what makes our marriage so special.

With a smile, we'll tell them. 

Christ's power working in and through us keeps us united. Keeps us loving. Keeps us pressing on to know Him and know one another, through the ups and through the downs. 

All the way to the finish line.

Our couple motto: To 50 and beyond!

Will you join with us in celebration of traditional marriage? Turn to your mate and give her/him a smile and a kiss. Determine to work together to advance Christ's cause through your relationship.   

5 comments:

chappydebbie said...

That's beautiful, Eileen. Happy Anniversary!

Eileen Rife said...

Thanks, Debbie! We had a wonderful time celebrating our love. So many sweet touches and humorous moments . . .

Like when we got in the car, I said, "Oh, aren't you going to bring your romantic pants?"

Meaning, I wanted Chuck to pack his black dress pants so I could feel romantic. :) He smiled and returned to the house for the pants. This became a joke all weekend.

At our historic B & B, the owners positioned multiple clocks about the gorgeous house, but none of them seemed to work. The one in our room was stuck on 3:00.

Reminded me of Charles Dickens' book, Great Expectations, in which Miss Haversham (I think) kept her clock hands positioned on the time she would have married.

Funny thing was, or perhaps a touching thing--our wedding started at 3:00 and thankfully, Chuck didn't leave me at the altar.

So thankful for that, for all the good God's wrought through our family by His grace.

We ate lunch in Italy (well, at Ragazzis, anyway :), and dinner in Cuba (the Habanna Cafe at an outdoor table with palm trees and flowers and live Cuban music).

Mud prohibited our horse ride, but we'll schedule that for another time.

Many good memories made and tucked away for savoring.

chappydebbie said...

Sounds like a blessed time! I pray the Lord gives you two many, many more years together!

Linda Glaz said...

This made me smile!

Eileen Rife said...

Glad I helped put a smile on your face today, Linda. Enjoy the day!

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