Me and Mary Anne

I was up early this morning.

After a brief time of journaling from Ezekiel, and reflection with Jesus in my living room chair, I wrote out a card for Mary Anne.

The living room was still dark, and I had space to collect some thoughts about what this girl means to me. She is simple beauty, steady kindness, and dedicated to the Lord Jesus. She has an eye for beauty and loves light. She sees the world differently than me and so I have learned to open my eyes better. I still love her. In fact, more than at first. With prayer in tow, we keep it going.

Prayer let’s you stay married.

 We’ve been married thirty-six years now.

We spent the whole day just being together. The morning breakfast table talking through memories and looking at old pictures. Then lunch in downtown Sugarhill, where a friend saw us and covertly paid for our meal – WOW! What a nice surprise! Then we drove a few miles over to hang out at Buford Dam. This is one of our old haunts, but we haven’t been there in years. While we were there the loud siren sounded and they released the water from the bottom of Lake Lanier into the river. We just watched the water rise and enjoyed the refreshing cool breeze. Of course, Mary Anne took pictures. Back home and one lazy nap later, we went out again to downtown Braselton for more anniversary food. Double surprise, somebody else snuck in and paid our bill. Double Wow!! Loving and being loved by others shapes life into something beautiful.

Another good day with Mary Anne.

I’m a lucky guy. Back at the start we had no real plan, no money, and were very clueless about many things. But we knew where help comes from. We used prayer like it was water in the desert. As it turns out, God loves to give clues to the clueless. We have journeyed together through many seasons. I feel like the best is in front of us!

So, here is to 36 years with Mary Anne! If you don’t know her, you are missing out. She is the very best part of our tribe. The mother of our three, the grandmother of four. A talented photographer. A peaceful doula. A dog whisperer. Her smile can stop the clock, her laughter could convert scrooge, her companionship is mine and it is a treasure.