35 years.

35 years.  Wow!  I say that because in one sense it seems like it has gone by so quickly, and in another it seems we've spent our entire lives together.  

We were just youngsters when we got married.  I had just turned 21 and Scott was nearly 20.  We were just two young kids jumping into life together with no fear.  My parents had married young and after only knowing one another for a month, so I wasn't concerned about only dating Scott for 7 months.  I figured we had 6 whole months on my parents.  And Scott was so infatuated with me, all he knew was he wanted to marry me, and FAST!  

Now 35 years, 3 kids, and 2 grandkids later, it seems like what James says in James 4:14, just a "vapor".  

But that vapor has been our life.  And it's been full of trials and triumphs.  Laughter and tears.  Dirty socks under the bed and curling irons left on.  Long hours at work and screaming kids at home.   Then in a blink the kids are grown and it turns into long hours at work and the mother-in-law at home.  

So how can you turn that crazy life into bliss?  Into "happily ever after"?  Into "as long as we both shall live"?

Before Scott and I got married, my brother Dan, who officiated our wedding, counseled us.  And one thing he said has stuck like glue.  He asked what marriage meant to us.  Of course, our answer was "love".  He said, "No, marriage is commitment".  He explained how you don't always feel love towards the other, and in those times, it's commitment to one another and to the vows we make before God that will carry you through.  And those words have proven to be right over and over.  

Commitment to one another, like roots of a tree.  Planted.  Never to be moved.  Planted through the sweet times.  Through the rough patches.  Through financial difficulties, living from paycheck to paycheck.  Through not having a paycheck. Through the birth of three beautiful children.  Through the loss of a child.  Though finishing school with young kids and long hours at work. Through a failed business.  Through a successful business that takes a lot of time.  Through the needs of aging parents.  Through the death of parents.  Through the pain of rebellious children.  Through seeing your children grow up and leave home. Through job changes.  Through move after move to unknown places and building new relationships.  Through it all!  Choosing to be committed to one another.  Allowing those roots of commitment to grow deep and wide and be planted firm to celebrate the good and to weather any storm.  

And I have found that the more committed you are to one another, the more love you feel.  I'm sure that is what my brother was trying to tell us back in that counseling session as well.  It's not that tingling love that brings the goosebumps you felt while dating and when you were first married.  It's the bond of love that brings trust and tears.  Tears of thankfulness and appreciation that God can take two foolish kids, and knit them together and make them one.  Still, after 35 years.

And Scott Moore, if I were that young 21 year old girl, knowing what I know today, I would still say yes.  Yes to you.  Yes to the life the Lord has given us and to what He still has in store for us.  I pray He gives us at least 35 years more!