Happy Third Anniversary!

Betty and I have been married for THREE years now and it has really gone by fast!  Yet at the same time, it does feel like three long years.  Why do I say that?  Well, because I feel like we have matured in our marriage.  For instance, we don’t fight as much.  :) I know, I know… we seem like the ideal couple who never fight – but indeed we have.  Three years later, its not quite as much (still a little, of course!).  We have grown to understand each other better and grown more in love with one another.  One of the things I love about being married to her is that, despite my busy schedule, she is always there to remind me to stop and appreciate the beautiful things of life.

For example, above is a picture of the famous World Heritage site, Segovia, just north of Madrid, Spain.  I was in Madrid working with my colleagues, doing 10-12 hour workdays and not really seeing much of Spain outside of the office, the supermarket (where I got dinner foods) and my hotel room.  Yet, at the end of the week, she flew in for the weekend so that we, together, could enjoy more than the few blocks I walked everyday.

What I find is the longer we’re married, the harder it is for me when we have to be apart.  Today, May 10th, is our anniversary… but tomorrow, May 11th, I fly without her to China for two long weeks.  And, while I look forward to the work I will be doing in China, I don’t look forward to the time I am away.  I am reminded more and more of my mortality.  I am not saying I am necessarily afraid of dying.  Rather, to be honest, I am afraid of leaving Betty alone.

Above all things, Betty has been a great spiritual partner to me.  She’s a sounding board to me when I teach in the church and she challenges me with the love and prayers she extends to others.  More importantly, she continues to grow in knowing and loving God more each day.

Thank you for your love for God and me.  I love you Betty.