October 16th holds a significant place on our family calendar. It’s my mother’s birthday. It’s also our wedding anniversary. Give credit to my savvy bride to schedule our wedding date on her future mother-in-law’s birthday.
This anniversary holds a special significance. Twenty-five years ago, I was fortunate enough to wed my bride Ruth. I marvel how quickly the time has passed. My social worker bride was introduced to me by a police dispatcher mutual friend of ours. Our wedding day competed with a Nebraska football game and our relationship was formed on mutual trust right from the start — Ruth checked my background out and I checked hers…..
Ours has truly been a partnership built on trust and honor rooted in our foundation of faith. Despite the adversity and challenges throughout the past 25 years, our relationship has grown and Ruth still remains my best friend as well as my wife. The past few months has reminded me how precious our relationship is and how much I treasure our time together. Our faith teaches us that a husband should honor his wife as he honors God. It is a charge that I hold dear and accept with great joy.
The twinkle in Ruth’s eye and that mischievous smile is just as vibrant and exciting to me today as it was the first time I met her. I have no doubt that I will be writing the same thing about my bride in another 25 years.
It’s fitting that we will spend a good portion of the day honoring the commitments of our family. We’ll spend this date mixing financial aid meetings for our graduating high school senior son and planning activities for our daughter’s upcoming 16th birthday. A few hours tonight will allow us a quiet meal together in a secluded Northfield spot to gaze into each others’ eyes, drink a toast and thank God for the life we have shared together and the many years yet ahead of us.