Love is not a feeling, it is a choice.

Good morning friends,

Well today marks a pretty special day. It is our 25th wedding anniversary.

WOW I never thought I would love this long much less be married this long hehee.

I would love to say it has been 25 wonderful and blissful years. UMM NO, reality is it has been about 8 wonderful years, not in a row either. One day at a time. But I guess that is what marriage is all about, not bliss but contentment. I went into our marriage with quite a different outlook then I have today. There was noway I would ever be submissive, I didn't care what the Bible said. If I wasn't happy I could just leave. It is just a piece of paper and a ring, it doesn't mean much. BOY was I wrong.First of all I married above my class. A well to do upper middle class boy from the suburbs, who went to country clubs and a private college. I was a poor lower class country girl, who was so hillbilly she didn't know what salad tongs were. Yes, really. Apparently God knew what He was doing though. Later we both figured out we were both at the point where we were sick of just dating and wanted a something lasting. We were so young, Dave was 21 and I was 18, just months out of High School. Dave and I met in April of 1989, started dating May 18th, 89, were engaged by July 14th, 89 and married October 21, 89. My mom always said our wedding was truly ordained by God because every step was easy and fell into place. The church, venue, caterer, etc... all had the date we wanted open. That never happens. So October 21, 1989 with 500 of our friends and family we were joined. People ask how we managed to stay together, well I have no idea other then God. I married a Grudem, they are very stubborn, Scandinavian,oldest child, don't show your feelings, private man. I am and Irish hillbilly that never kept a secret her whole life, that never backed down, and would tell you exactly what she thought you should do, youngest child. Well in hind sight, being on meds sooner would have made a ton of difference, and the fact that both of us are stubborn, and the fact that we kept God a part of it, is why we are together a quarter of a century later. Not without major bumps and detours in life, mistakes and hardships, we endured so much together that now I cannot imagine doing it alone. People ask us now if we ever thought about divorce? Well right away we decided it was not something we would even say. One time I left and gave Dave the biggest list of ultimatums and knew he would never do any of it so I guess we were done. Within 2 weeks he had done ALL of the list items and then some and I knew, if he would go so far out of his comfort zone, to adhere to my many requests, he was worth another chance. Our marriage I would love to say was based in a loving, sweet, smoochy, unconditional love. It has not and is not. It Has been Hard, trying, frustrating and painful and I would not change one minute of it, because THAT is what makes us grow strong and solid. So many times I thought I cannot handle this "MAN" anymore and God would gently remind me of the reasons we were together. Most times by playing "Our Song" Cross my heart - by George Strait. 

Our love was unconditional
We knew it from the start
I see it in your eyes
You could feel it from my heart

From here on after
Let's stay the way we where
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow

I cross my heart
And promise to
Give all I've got to give
To make all your dreams come true

In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine

You will always be the miracle
That makes my life complete
And as long as there's still breath in me
I'll make yours just as sweet

As we look into the future
It's as far as we can see
So let's make each tomorrow
Be the best that it can be

I cross my heart
And promise to
Give all I've got to give
To make all your dreams come true

In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine

And if along the way we find a day
It starts to storm
You've got the promise of my love
To keep you warm

In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine

It is a testament to endurance, and learning that although we are so very different, and no matter the craziness of life, or the sickness or poverty, the pain and rejection. Staying together, through it all, toughing it out and learning to laugh is not the easiest option, but it is the right one. The main and only way we have stayed together is the simple fact we HAVE to have God the center. No matter what and no matter if we feel like it, we with God will not give up. NO MATTER WHAT!!! 

Love is not a feeling, it is a choice. 

Have a blessed day

Always

Suszi