1.11.2010

The biggest creative pursuit of my days

24 years ago today, I married a boy of 19.  I was just 18, and carrying his child.

Our marriage had all the makings of a colossal fail.

And there were several times we thought it would.

But here we are. 


Remembering back over almost a quarter of a century,


the beautiful moments,

(the birth of our 6th and last child)
 
the imperfect moments,

(trying to smile for our daughter in the midst of a disagreement)

the hilarious moments,



(the infamous '80s party)

the magical moments,


(in Disney World)

the extra special moments,

(celebrating that first baby boy's wedding day)


and the moments inbetween....here we are.


In love.  More than ever.


Holding it together, one day at a time. 


Creating space for the two of us, wherever we find ourselves.


Creating time for the two of us, admist very busy lives.


Creating new ways to say 'I cherish you above all others'.


Today, I celebrate the 24 years-worth of days filled with moments I have had with this man.


Today, I embrace all the tomorrows I'll share with him for the rest of my days.


Wedding anniversaries are for remembering back over all the moments that have shaped two individuals into a work of art.  Marriage takes more than commitment....it takes creativity, imagination, vision, and a willingness to be molded into a masterpiece together...unique to the world.

I'm proud of us.

Today I say again, there's no one else on earth I'd rather be creating and sharing a life with than this man.


I am my beloved's and he is mine.

You are still my heart's desire.

69 comments:

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

That was precious! Congrats on 24 yrs! I know it wasn't easy as I'm coming up on 22 years in February. Your right it takes work, but so worth it!!

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

This is such a beautiful and lovely post...Happy Anniversary to you guys!

Barb said...

Congratulations! I must tell you that 36 years ago, I was just 18 and hubby was 19 we were married under very similar circumstances - we are still married, I'm sure nobody gave our marriage a chance. But we are more in love today than we have ever been - lots of pitfalls and trials, but it is so worth it!

I just found your blog a few days ago - can I just tell you that I have so enjoyed it! You have such wonderful ideas and you are very
funny! But, today, I cried. Again, Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Sniff-sniff...too sweet! Just precious! HUGS!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Happy Anniversary to you both...hope you have an awesome day together.

Blessings,
Linda

Angie Holden said...

That is so sweet! I too have a similar story. I was 18, hubby was 19, and a baby to boot! We are on year 16! :) Great times!

Jen said...

Happy Anniversary! What a great tribute to your marriage and husband. I have been married for 16 1/2 years, and NO one thought it would last. My husband and I dated for 3 1/2 weeks, got engaged, and got married 3 months later. I knew from the moment I saw him I was going to marry him and everyone said we rushed too fast. Well, 16 years later, 2 kids later...we still love each other and are very happy. Enjoy your anniversay!

Lori S. said...

I'm proud of you, too. Happy Anniversary and many, many more wonder-filled years together! Love you!

Brenda Pruitt said...

You're very lucky and very dedicated. Both admirable! Not many people can say that they made it through and still are in love. I applaud you, and I congratulate you both!
Brenda

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

What a beautiful tribute to your 24th Anniversary. You are both such beautiful people and are made for each other.
Congratulations and keep growing older together and more in love with each new year.

hugs~~Sissie

Vivian said...

What a beautiful post! Congratulations and a toast to many more to come.

Erika said...

Congratulation! What an inspirational post, wow! And what an inspirational relationship and life!
Keep on loving each other and sharing lots of magical moments.
Hugs, Erika

Courtney said...

this is beautiful!!! thank you so much for sharing the moments with us!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Congratulations to both of you. You are so right, it does take a lot to keep love alive and to make a marriage work. You guys are wonderful together. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! What an achievement. You should be proud. You make a beautiful couple as well as a beautiful home.

Deborah

Ramsey said...

I teared up reading that! Congratulations, its so beautiful to see such a loving relationship. I hope and pray that mine will be so successful.
God Bless!
Ramsey

Anny said...

Congratulations, what wonderful pictures :) Thank you for sharing!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! It's not easy these days. When you have something that works, cherish it!
taking a little break from painting, running to the store to look into getting blinds, and buying trim paint.
gail

Leanne said...

Awwww, that's beautiful. Happy Anniversary! Hubby and I will be married 30 years this year. He was 20, I was 18 and already carrying #1. Very similar situations with many ups and downs and much love.

Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest said...

Cindy -- Thank you for posting this. What a beautiful collection of pictures and memories. And how special that you would share your anniversary with us! Congratulations on 24 years!

My husband and I got married when I was 2 months preggo with Pierce and like you, we were doomed from the beginning, but through the ups and downs here we are. We'll be married 10 years in March!

studio pashnada said...

beautiful - thank you for sharing from your heart

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Precious! Precious! Precious! What a testimony to commitment and perserverance! It truly does get sweeter with time.
May God bless you with many more years together!
Traci

glor said...

Congratulations! Blessings to you both always!

Claudia said...

Oh Cindy, that was beautifully written! What a wonderful tribute to your marriage and your husband. Congratulations!

xoxo
Claudia

~ Regan said...

Congratulations to the both of you!!! Such a heartfelt post, I enjoyed reading it. Makes me want to go hug and kiss my hubby right now! ;)

Autum said...

Oops, let me try that again. Happy Anniversary, you two love birds! This post is just beautiful!!

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

Cindy,
Congratulations!
I loved all the pictures and beautiful words you wrote.
Enjoy your day, well, all your days with him.
~Amy

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! And congratulations for winning the give away at A Day in the Life.

The Painted Home said...

so sweet :) goosebumbs

Gretchen said...

Aw, what a sweet post! Congrats!!!

A Southern Rose said...

This post really touched my heart. Happy Anniversary to you both. I loved seeing all of the pictures and the sweet words that you said about your husband. I could feel the love that you have for him.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

DustyLu said...

Congratulations! That is so beautiful and inspiring to see. Thank you for sharing that with us. You guys look soo happy! lulu

Grace and Beauty said...

Beautiful post! and what a testimony to commitment!
Blessings!

Anke said...

Happy anniversary, you make a great couple!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! May you be blessed with many more years to come.

with love,
~Olivia

Seawashed said...

hApPy AnnIvErSaRy! Nowadays it is something to be proud of to make it that long. To keeping marriage sacred and working through those hard times, never giving up. That is a wonderful thing that you married so young with baby of promise growing inside and now can look back with those moments as beautiful memories. How blessed you are!

Patricia said...

happy anniversary and god bless you both!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Congrats! Way to "beat those odds!"
-Trish

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

What a great post....Congratulations!!

Love prevails...

Lou Cinda

fleurcottage said...

congratulations...quite a testimony! blessings!

Pine Tree Home said...

congrats, you should be very very proud.

Gwen said...

Happy Anniversary! You two make a beautiful couple and seeing all of the love that you have for each other makes my heart warm:)

Kate said...

Cindy
Amazing and most beautiful post!!!! Love it and a much needed reminded that love never fails when it is given from the truest part of your hearts.

Congrats to you both

LOve
Kate

Anita said...

I have to agree with everyone. You are a beautiful couple.Those were beautiful words. Wishing you many more years of happiness.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Aw, what beautiful post! This is true love. Happy anniversary to you two!

Heidi said...

Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing your blog.

jen said...

BEST post I've read all day!!!!!! Congratulations to you - beautiful story the two of you share. my parents have been together since they were 14 and 15 - celebrating 40 years of marriage this year!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Congratulations on 24 years! Thanks for sharing the walk down memory lane...You have some great pictures of the both of you. Enjoy...

Marianne said...

Beautiful and congratulations!

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Cindy, I could totally feel the love looking at those photos. You two are very blessed. Congratulations on sticking through the hard times. Love it.

Tracy said...

What a super sweet post! Happy Anniversary! I love the photos over the years. What a nice tribute to your marriage. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Pam said...

A beatiful tribute to the two of you - congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I have a similar story except we were both 19 with a baby on the way. It was scary but I was so in love with him that I knew we could make it work. We have been married almost 27 years, and I still feel like I won the lottery every time I look at him and know he is mine!! Congratulations on your anniversary! Why don't we hear more stories like ours instead of about all the failed ones?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, may you have many, many more years of togetherness!

p.s. My sister and her husband married at 19 with a baby boy on the way and 20 years later they are still happier than most and the best of friends.

molly susan strong said...

Lovely, lovely and more lovely. So well said and enjoyed each picture. Thanks for sharing.

TeaMouse said...

My sister 'Michelle' commented in here and sent me the link. Congratulations!

My husband and I got together when we were both 18. By 19 we were pregnant with our son and we married at 20. I was six months pregnant.

I know we had the 'they'll never make it' you could hear the whispers and gossip at the wedding if you tried(which I didn't).

Today we've been married for 20 years and 8 months. We are happier each and every day and the love only continues to grow stronger. Our children are now 20 and 16(almost 17) and we are so happy with our independent lives. We just turned 40 in December(both of us) and we have so many good years ahead - just like you!

I wish you every happiness and I'm proud to see another couple who has done the 'impossible'. The odds were definitely against 'US' but we did it!

alissa {33shadesofgreen} said...

Congratulations! That is so sweet - brings a tear to my eye!

dmvoccola said...

Sweet--very sweet. Your children are blessed to have parents like you!

Simple Home said...

What a wonderful tribute to your marriage and your husband. We're coming up on 24 years in April, and like you, people didn't think we'd make it. Maybe 6 kids was the number for people married in 86 :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Funky Junk Interiors said...

You got me too. *sniff*

What a beautiful testimony for the love you two share. I couldn't be happier for you. :)

Donna

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
MamaHen said...

What a beautiful post!

debbie said...

thats so sweet,, Happy Anniversary to you both.

Lynn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynn said...

Let's try this again. I just found your blog. Congratulations to both of you. A lovely, inspirational testimony to your marriage, your love, your commitment to each other and your family. This should appear on the front page of every paper in the US. Simply because this is the "good new" that inspires, builds up, gives hope, and blesses. What a story you two have and many, many more pages to come. Congratulations!
Lynn

Amy said...

Thank you for sharing such a lovely post. So inspiring. I sometimes take my better half for granted and I need to work more on showing him my appreciation. Thanks and congratulations!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful :) Congratulations on your anniversary and thanks for sharing. Your children are blessed to have your marriage as an example, love, commitment, bumps and all.

Rue said...

Happy Anniversary!

Beautiful post Cindy.

hugs for you both,
rue

Lori said...

Oh Cindy - I love this and all the pictures through the years. Congratulations!!

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