All Posts Tagged With: "spouse"

(This idea was stolen from inspired by an email from fellow Okie blogger and friend Brit’ Gal Sarah.)

[Cue Award Show music]

Time for the International Husband of the Year Awards. And the nominees are…

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From the United Kingdom

* Continued

Sixteen wonderful and amazing years. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday. In other ways, it seems like forever.

Yesterday, Karla and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. Now, I have to admit that our celebration wasn’t quite as spectacular as one might expect for a “Sweet Sixteen” milestone. Before she left for work yesterday, Karla left me a gift and anniversary card where she knew I would find it — the bathroom. I had a plant with a “Happy Anniversary” mylar balloon to her workplace so she would hopefully feel a little extra special. In the evening, we went to a nice, upper-scale restaurant, Redrock Canyon Grill, that sits on the shore of Lake Hefner. We shared our date with our two pride-and-joys, Sarah and Ashley. (More about our dinner date, with more photos, in a later post.)

I heard it said once — and I can’t remember from whom — that marriage can either be heaven on earth or hell on earth. Well, I’ve seen both. Some of my friends and family have seen marriage be more like hell on earth. Other friends and family have marriages that are more like heaven on earth. And many seem to be stuck in a stale, dispassionate, obligatory relationship that’s not really hell on earth, but certainly doesn’t seem to be heaven on earth.

I can state unequivocally that my marriage with Karla has been and continues to be heaven on earth. I love her more now than when we first got married, and I loved her a lot then. Marriage has been more than I ever thought it could be. Yes, there have been tough times, but they only made our marriage and love for each other stronger. We each have seen the worst in each other and our commitment never wavered; in fact, the other’s unfailing love often helped us triumph over our weaknesses and overcome our “worst.”

Do we have a perfect marriage. Hardly. But we have a marriage I wouldn’t give up for the world. We are not only husband and wife, we are very best friends. I can’t imagine my life without her. I hope I never have to live it without her (although I know that in all likelihood, one of us will eventually face that inevitability). I cherish each day I’m with her. The sight of her — the mere thought of her — still brings a smile to my face and makes me all atwitter inside.

I love you, Karla, mon amour. Thank you for sixteen wonderful, amazing and memories-filled years. I look forward to each and every year ahead. Happy anniversary!