Happy Anniversary to My Only True Love

Today marks the most significant twelve years of my life, as it is the anniversary of my marriage to a wonderful, strong and caring husband, Doug.

Over the years he has (with long suffering) endured the trials of dealing with a long history of my former health issues, family stressors, losses and a past that could haunt me if it were not for his choice to be supportive and encouraging.

When we met, I was a mouse, beaten down by an abusive past, not able to make choices that others could reflexively. With him by my side, I found the courage to heal, to overcome the odds and move from victim to survivor and then to one who helps to heal others.

My husband gave me the sense that I was every bit as important as anyone else God made and that I could, with God's help, find gifts and talents placed within me to use for the betterment of mankind. He never nagged, scolded, put down or showcased my weaknesses, but instead he encouraged me in areas of strength and undiscovered callings and prayed for me to overcome my struggles.

He has been a servant-leader, a true example of Christ in word and deed with patience, meekness, kindness, self-control and goodness both to me and to others in our lives. I've never met a more thoughtful man with a heart to help people so much that he would deny his own needs at times without letting on to a soul that he has done so.

He works hard, and yet teaches me how to let down my hair and relax with him. He shows concern when I'm hurting or ill and commands me to rest while he takes up to the care of the family with a smile on his face and a secret recipe up his sleeve.

He's an excellent father to our sons and such a natural at it that one would never suspect that the children were not born naturally to us. One son looks just like him and because of the time and influence he holds over them, the similarity sometimes goes further than skin deep. They mimic his mannerisms and gentlemanly ways. That says so much for him as a dad to be able to influence his sons as he has been doing.

I am truly blessed. I can't thank God enough for the love of my life, my husband of twelve years today.

I love you, Doug. Happy Anniversary, Babe!