1) The couple pictured above met 27 years ago today.
2) The woman pictured above is an actual earthbound angel.
3) Her 27 year relationship with the man pictured above is all the evidence required for point 2.
Most of our family, friends and even random readers of this blog know the story of petite 15 year old girl who managed to literally run over the stocky 16 year old jock because she was running late to meet her dad at the car to leave the Strawberry Festival. Instead of rehashing this story again, I prefer to look at the fact that it was destined to occur.
A couple of weeks ago we were sitting in the living room with friends, and this anniversary came up. That discussion then led down a trail that basically covered what an absolutely horrible boyfriend I tended to be, which I could not argue against, and this was without my individual issues, only my relationship actions being discussed. In the time since that I've thought back over those years. She was literally dating a self-destructive narcissist with alcohol issues, a horrible temper and an eye for other girls. Are you turned off after reading that? I am. She should have been. She probably was, but she inexplicably hung in there with me. Even after a run-in with the law that caused a good portion of family and friends to write me off for a long time, she was right there by my side. She's seen a frightening array of skeletons in my closet, but was always there to love, support and set me right. I didn't understand it then, and often throughout our marriage I've tried to figure it out, but she saw something in me that no one else could. I'm still not entirely sure what it was/is, I just know that I am grateful that she never gave up on finding it.
Over the years she has helped me to learn to control my demons. I have learned a certain level of peace and patience. She's taught me how to love, which is something that I did not understand and was not even sure truly existed. I have learned how to put others before myself even though that has never been my first, second or even third natural impulse. She introduced me to God in a way that no one else ever had and is a persistent beam of His love and grace even in our darkest times.
My health has now brought some of these challenges full circle and she is proving to be as strong, supportive and guiding of a light as ever. I hate to admit it but my mood, patience and temperament can again pose quite the challenge at times. My limitations have made her life very complicated with everything she now has to cover. She has endeavored to pursue these challenges with a sense of joy that I have trouble fathoming. The odd thing is that she understands that I have issues wrapping my mind around it and instead of throwing heavy objects at me in frustration, she launches love...always love.
I truly cannot fathom where I would have ended up if I hadn't been run over by that adorably cute girl with the bright addictive smile and incredibly cute bottom. Yeah, that's right, God knew what my weaknesses were before he sent her to mow me down.
I love You Missy. You truly are my angel.
