Sunday, August 9, 2009

Today Until Forever


"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." - Psalm 33:22

Celebrating 12 years of a decision that changed my life. A decision to say yes to a mighty man of God. Wear his ring. Raise his children. Share his life. Support him as he pours into the nations.

We dated only 2 weeks before he asked. Never talked about marriage until his ring was on my finger. We were best friends, knit together by God's grace and mercy. I couldn't imagine my life without him. He fasted and without knowing my answer, bought a ring and took me to our favorite park.

For the first time, he said he loved me. The words were on our hearts for quite a while, but not yet uttered from our lips. I rejoiced, but my heart saddened just a bit. Closing my eyes, I whispered to my Abba in heaven, "Lord, I always wanted to hear that for the first time when it meant forever." Opening my eyes, I saw my Ryan on his knee.

Whispering memorized scripture over me, he washed me in God's Word and then asked me to be his wife. Without any hesitation, I said yes really quickly. Then, a ring, and shaking. Poor guy didn't even get a kiss.

Walking back to the car, still shaking, I repeated with joy and awe "Ryan, there's a ring on my finger." Smiling, he finally said "I know Sarah, I put it there."

And so it began. We walked down an aisle to begin the rest of our lives. A path lined with rose petals to lead us to life's path of joy, tears, partnership, and God's love.

We celebrate 12 years of marriage today. I married my best friend and I still cannot imagine my life without him. May your unfailing love continue to rest upon us O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

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58 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah Dawn,
I am privileged to have you as my wife. My life is forever changed for the better. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in our next great adventure together.

Love,
Ryan

Mozi Esme said...

Congrats on 12 years - and happy anniversary to both of you - may you have many more...

christy rose said...

What a sweet story Sarah Dawn! Happy Anniversary!

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

Happy Anniversary to you guys! I will be 7 years married soon and still love my husband as much as I did on my wedding day, in fact more!!!!
Love Collette xxx

Jennifer said...

Ok, just when I thought I was done crying I see his comment!! Love it. Love the blog. Love the comment. Love the story. Love it all. Hadn't ever seen this scripture...so perfect, how could I have missed it?

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary.

Jen in Oregon

TanyaLea said...

Oh Sarah Dawn!...that was just beautiful! I felt as though I were a bug on the wall, watching him propose to you. I love the innocent tenderness of that moment, and how truly surprised you were! And even more, I love how God takes delight in the 'details'...ordaining this proposal in line with the "I LOVE YOU" just as your heart had always desired! I know I'm such a sap, but I'm splash'n tears of joy for you after reading this post! ...and Ryan's sweet comment really did me in! Just icing on the cake!! You are blessed, Sarah Dawn...and Ryan is, too!!! Happy 12th Anniversary! <><

love,
Tanya

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to both of you! What a love story!

RCUBEs said...

Happy Anniversary to both of you! May God give you many more years...as you live and share one life together serving Him. God bless.

Barbara said...

How romantic - gives me goosebumps *s* Happy Anniversary :)

Debbie Petras said...

I loved hearing the story of how he proposed; so romantic and yet ...so right. Happy Anniversary to you both. May the Lord continue to bless your marriage as you honor Him.

Leah Adams said...

Sarah Dawn,

God has graced you marvelously with Ryan. May the rest of your days together be filled with love and the praise of our Lord. God bless you and Happy Anniversary.

Leah

Denise said...

Such a precious post. Happy Anniversary, may God continue to bless over your marriage.

Kim said...

What a precious post of a perfect love story that could only be orchestrated by our Loving Heavenly Father!
Happy Anniversary!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Sharon Sloan said...

Happy Anniversary indeed! What a beautiful testimony you wrote about God's leading and faithfulness! Many blessings on you both, your marriage, your family and all that God puts your hearts and hands to!

Unknown said...

Oh Sarah - I just woke to read this beautiful post!

Happy Anniversary! I can't wait to share this with Lexi and my teen bible study group! This is how He meant it to be - all the firsts of love - forever!

What a blessed marriage and union God has put together for His glory!

Praying over you both now and trusting that God will do what He began in you - to use you both and deepen your love for each other as you both grow in the grace and knowledge of His Son!

I love you precious gift of mine!

Counting down the days too!
Jill

Denise said...

Beautiful! Happy Anniversary and may you be blessed with many more years of walking life's path together.

Shalom,
Denise

MamaHen said...

What a sweet story. Happy Day to you!

Who am I... said...

Blessings on many more years!! I love being married to my best friend as well!! God is good!

Andrea said...

Happy Anniversary!!! What a blessing!

Unknown said...

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!! That is an amazing story! God bless you both and may He continue to poor out His love on you both!

Ann NC

Tara Anderson said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! My hubby and I are celebrating our 10 year this week, and it sounds like we share a similiar story. Andrew was my best friend and we had dated for not even 2 months when he took me to a park, got down on one knee, and suprised me with a ring! It's wonderful to be able to look back on the beginning and see God's presence so strongly there. What a blessing!!!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

That. Is. Precious.

To have Scripture spoken over you at your engagement -- what a blessing.

May God continue to bless you in your union. May His Grace continue to DRENCH you both.

Aspiemom said...

That's such a neat story! Did you mean you only knew each other for 2 weeks, or that you were best friends for a long time, then dated 2 weeks?

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Andrea said...

Congratulations!!
Please stop by arise 2 write and pick up an award I have for you. If your name is not in the list, it still belongs to U. I ran out of steam before I got everyone I wanted on it.
Blessings, andrea

Sharon said...

How beautiful! Happy Anniversary!

Searching for God in the everyday said...

Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a wonderful journey so far. God is so faithful! Your words communicate so much emotion and joy. I love that your journey began and continues with God.

Waitingfaithfully said...

Happy Anniversary dear new friend! What a precious love story you have!

Blessings on your day,

Love,

Tina

Pat Thacker said...

"Congratulations" on your 12TH Anniversary"!!!! And may God bless you to have many,many,many years together!!!
Love ya

Mel said...

What a beautiful testament and Happy Anniversary

Pilar said...

So sweet! What a great way to tell it, probably because it was a great way to do it.

Congratulations and happy anniversary!

May your day be filled with lots of wonderful blessings!

Deidra said...

Yes, I've got goosebumps. Happy Anniversary!

Kim said...

What a wonderful love story! Congratulations!!

He & Me + 3 said...

That is just beautiful! Happy Anniversary my friend! It will be 12 years for us on the 16th!

Tanya said...

Happy Anniversary!!!!!

Kat said...

Sara Dawn,

What a beautiful and heart warming story. It is such a blessing to hear of love done God's way.

Happy Anniversary!

Kat

Heart2Heart said...

Sarah Dawn,

I am so happy for you and Ryan that you are celebrating your lives together after 12 years! I am asking God to continue to bless this marriage and keep it together through tough times and good ones and may you always seek God first in all things that you do.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Mich said...

Too sweet! Happy anniversary!

Joyful said...

Happy Anniversary! May you continue to grow in love for one another, and together may you continue to grow in love for your Lord.

Blessings,
Joy

Jen said...

Sarah Dawn,
Congratulations on your anniversary! It's so evident that God drew you together and planned your lives together even before either of you were born. And His plan continues to unfold before you. What a sweet adventure!!!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful love story...thanks for sharing with us, Happy Anniversary!

Adeye said...

Happy anniversary, friend. What a wonderful God-story! I absolutely LOVE how the Almighty hand picks a man and a woman for each other. So incredible. I can hardly wait to see how the next year turns out for your family. New adventures on the horizon--can only be good :)

Bernadine said...

Aww... that's so beautiful. Congratulations and may God bless you with many more happy years together.

Pia said...

happy anniversary, sarah! congratulations! more blessings to you and ryan.

Margie said...

Beautifully written! It encourages me to write out my story for our scrapbook.

Thanks!

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

Absolutely beautiful, Sarah! Congratulations on twelve wonderful years. Happy Anniversary!

Michele said...

congrats on 12 years, this had a smile on my face reading it, was so sweet. May God continue to bless you both and your marriage and family.

Yolanda said...

Sarah, truly a blessing. Lovingly, Yolanda

Annie said...

What a sweet story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Karen said...

Happy belated anniversary!
Karen

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Happy Anniversary!

Such a sweet story . . .

Karen said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! Your story is just precious and brought tears to my eyes...My husband and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary on the 9th, also...

Sarah said...

Such a beautiful story and a wonderful testament to God's great love for you both! Happy Anniversary!

Blessings,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

Sarah Dawn,

This is simply beautiful! So pure, so precious and full of loveliness, and God gave you the desire of your heart…that you heard “I love you” for the first time when it meant forever…it was such a pure desire.

Congratulations to both of you!
♥Hope

Kimmie said...

hAPPy annIverSARy!

Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted

Laurel said...

Sarah,

I'm so glad you commented on my blog today. I can't wait to read more of your blog.

What a beautiful love story!

28 years ago, on the 4th of July, my dear husband proposed to me ... on our 3rd date. Yes, we'd been best friends ... and you can't have a better foundation for marriage. Tomorrow, we will be celebrating our 27th anniversary.

3 of my girls have been involved with YWAM. 1 is on staff in Mendoza, Argentina. And, 2 of those girls have done a short term mission trip to Costa Rica ... so, we have heard wonderful things of the country you now live in.

Many blessings! I look forward to getting to know you better.

Laurel
mama of 13

Morgan said...

Happy belated anniversary!!!

Karin Katherine said...

This post made me so happy to read. I love that you are in love with your husband. That you feel God's hand in your marriage and that you celebrate that openly. I hope others will read it and be encouraged in their marriages too. Especially those who are waiting for that ring. May they wait for the right one.