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Linda is There for 30 Years
You are There
When I am unlovely
You still love me
When I am the angry storm
You are calm
When I am stalked by anxiety
You are beside me
When I am held by fear
You stand near
When I slip or slide
You are at my side
When I am cornered by despair
You are There
Thirty years ago today, August 27th, 1994, I was so full of nervous energy. Karl and Jay were with me and Dr. Speed. I had not expected to be this nervous. After all, we had expected this moment for years. I remember driving with you, back from some destination, down in Florida. I had been really quiet because of what was on my mind. I said to you, “So, I think we will get married someday.” And you said, “Yes, I think so.” Not a formal proposal by any means, but an acknowledgment of what we knew in our hearts: I had found the person I want to spend my life with. I had some peace then.
Back in the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, you were not anxious at all. Everyone commented on it. I remember seeing you walk down the aisle, and when you got to me, I was no longer anxious. You have always done that for me, even if at the time, I did not fully appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much of the ceremony. I remember staring into your eyes. I remember feeling so full of joy it was hard to think. I am glad I was able to repeat my vows and say “I do.” Kissing you then, as man and wife, was the first kiss of the rest of our lives.
I cannot imagine the last 30 years without you. Each step we have been together. We have shared joy. We have shared sorrow. We have raised two wonderful children to young adults. They have your sweet soul. You have been a wonderful mom, and a wonderful wife. You are my friend, my playmate, the one person I can be fully “me” with, even when I am less than loveable. Every moment has been a gem in the treasure that is our marriage.
The promise of two young people in a car over three decades ago was not fulfilled with a single ceremony. It is fulfilled with each step we take together. Sometimes I am ahead, sometimes it is you. And sometimes, one of us carries the other along. Things will get better. Things will get worse. More hills are ahead of us. Today, we stand on the mountain, with the sun shining, hand in hand, blessed by the God who brought us together. How unlikely our pairing seemed at the time. How obvious it seems now.
I love you, Linda, with a passion I cannot express with words; I can only show it to you through actions. Thank you for 30 years of marriage. Every day has been one of gold.
Hand in Hand, They Walked Toward Forever
Published in Family
Happy Anniversary to you both. May you have another 30 !
Happy Anniversary! Love the drawing. Very nice.
You really know how to knock a girl’s socks off with romantic gestures!
There are other ways to propose:
I like your way. Apparently Linda did too, which is all that matters.
Thirty more years! Thirty more years!
Sunday was our 45th. 30 years is nothing. It actually gets better.
Gratz! Thirty years is something else!
Happy Anniversary! You’re half-way there!
(On their 60th Anniversary, my mother was happy and decided that it had all been worthwhile. At least that’s what she said.)
A Daisy a Day
Congratulations! A happy marriage might not always be perfect, but it is a blessing that helps one navigate life’s bumps – the hope that spawns every young girl’s princess dreams..
Awesome, sir. Congratulations to both of you.
Thank you everyone
Mawage…
Congratulations!
Happy Anniversary!
So sweet and beautiful, Bryan. What a poet you are!
Congratulations. Nora and I wish you a happy anniversary and many more
Thank you
Congratulations to you and Linda!
Congratulations! Wishing you many more happy years together.
Beautiful.
The Life of Bryan and Linda.
Congratulations y’all!!
Thanks for sharing that very touching post.
Wishing you both many more happy years together.
Happy Anniversary! This is our 30th year, too. Praying continued blessings for you and your family.
Peace and grace,
Jim