"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." Ephesians 5:25
I am so thankful that I know this kind of love! While a student at Shorter College (which became Shorter University yesterday) I met a guy that had a very interesting name. Well actually, my first encounter with him was while I was a senior in H.S. doing a college visit to Shorter. He had long curly hair and my comment in the car was that he had to be a friend of David Gordon (and he was/is... David knows I love him). This guy tells me now that he told a friend that he wanted to marry a girl like me. I'm not sure if that is exactly how it went, but I am very grateful it all worked out.
We had an interesting start. We both had dates to the sorority formal, but yet we started talking and then dating. We went on to the formal with our dates, but danced plenty that night. Just 2 weeks later we broke up, but couldn't stay apart more than 12 hours. On February 14, 1999 we began dating one last time (Rando says we broke up and got back together on this day so that he would be able to remember our anniversary). Our dating years were full of fun. Walks around Garden Lakes, climbing a water tower (shhhh....), 1/2 priced wings after 11 at Applebees, ministering together at Hollywood, and discussing our future dreams together.
On June 2, 2001 we became husband and wife. I can honestly say each day since I have fallen more in love with him every day! We have been through a lot, but I am so thankful that we are best friends and very RARELY have an argument. We've been through the scariest time for the US in our lifetimes - 9/11/01, living off of 1 income while seeking God for where he would have us serve, hard days at work, trying to have kids for 2 years, and so many more. Through each of these trials God brought us closer to Him and each other. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life than my wonderful husband.
The last 14 months have been an exciting journey. I love watching him be daddy! He changes diapers and feeds the kids with the best of them! He loves playing with the kids and making them laugh. They even already team up (4 on 1 - the dog included in that 4) against me! We share so many laughs. We still get time together too! We make every effort to have date nights and do things as a couple.
He respects me, understands me, and loves me no matter what! I am the most fortunate girl in the world! Rando, I love you and I thank God He blessed my life the day He brought you in it! I am looking foward to many more years! Happy 9th Anniversary!
Our engagement picture
Our wedding day
Our family of 4 doing what we love
2 comments:
Congratulations, Amanda and Rando! You are both wonderful people, and I really looked up to both of you in college. From you in Ep Sig (i wrote down your name as someone i would've wanted to be my big sister) to Rando helping coach the cheerleading squad! I'm sure i've told you this 100 times before, but when I was up for RAPS the summer of 1999 I remember talking to you and some others in FSU and you were telling us how you were in love with a wonderful man, Rando, and for the other girls to stay away! God has truly blessed both of you with your 2 beautiful babies and 9 years together! You deserve the best!
happy anniversary! i didn't realize it was the same day as my girls' birthday! so happy you found a man like rando (not that i know him, but i love hearing that you are happy) :)
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