“I Do” Again
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
It had been a busy morning. While visiting Indiana to see family, the girls and I love to trek through garage sales whenever an opportunity arises. My mother-in-law Sandy is always willing to take us to the best ones she can find. The minister was scheduled to arrive at 11 A.M. which would give us two solid hours to shop the neighborhood-wide garage sales if we started before 8 A.M.
After spending every nickel, dime, and dollar bill we returned to the house. My lavender dress was waiting. For our Silver anniversary, the girls hurried to unpack dresses to wear. Pastor Rob performed our original ceremony on May 16, 1998. Sitting on the living room chair he held a little leather-bound book. It was his wedding ceremony book. In the back, he dated our wedding as the second one he had performed. Twenty-five years later, performing countless other ceremonies, I was humbled that he agreed to do this vow renewal for us.
We didn’t invite guests beyond our family. It seemed like a party would feel stressful and overwhelming. It was a hot bright morning. After finding a nice shady spot in the front yard we took a few pictures. Then we started the ceremony. Lydia sang a love song. Elaina did the rice cake presentation (the tool I used to first get Brad’s attention in college) Then Pastor Rob performed the ceremony. I couldn’t stop crying. It felt surreal to have the same minister give the same charge to love. The words hit differently than they had 25 years ago.
When I was twenty looking at the handsome man standing with me wearing the white tuxedo with tails I couldn’t imagine any hard times. I couldn’t picture the struggles and the heartbreak that life would bring in the decades ahead. But now as I looked into his soft brown eyes, I knew he understood. Being committed to one another took stretching. It took yielding to one another. We couldn’t begin to count the many apologies and acts of forgiveness our relationship was built upon.
A tear was fresh on his cheek as he held my hands. His physique has always been muscular. in fact, to some, his appearance could even be intimidating, but I know his tender heart and his passion for God. I also know the ugly things people have said about him and me through the years of ministry. The occasions when ministers and church folk had tried to pit us against each other. The memories still sting, but I smiled at him through the tears.
“I choose you, Brad Singleton.”
This is marriage. It is a choice to keep believing in and loving the one you betrothed no matter what. We exchanged rings on the freshly mown grass in the front yard of his parent’s house. We read our handwritten vows and we kissed. Afterward, to the cheers of our family, we took off running across the yard toward the future hand in hand.
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the SAME PERSON”
The truth is I choose to run the race with Brad every single day. I would be lying if I said it was easy to live with me all of the time. No, sometimes we do not see eye to eye. We both have quirks that can be frustrating. We are very different. If I had it all over to do, I would not change the adventures I have lived with this man. From the look in his eye, I can tell he wouldn’t change it either. Four children, five churches, and twenty-five years later I am still happy to be his bride.
I am proud to say, “I do” All over again.
