When we were married we had a marvelous wedding. Full of love that was felt through every person that attended. We were ecstatic to begin our lives as man and wife together.
We have had our ups and downs and our scares of not ever being able to see one another again. We were originally supposed to get married in November, but due to a very scary airplane ride from Texas to New York we decided to push it up. As the years have gone by we have had many changes in our relationship, all for the better. Our first change was the commitment we made to one another before God and all of our closest friends and family. This changed our relationship dramatically because it was no more me it became "WE". The next major change was the birth of my son. Again for the better, making us realize the importance of being as one in order to raise a strong young man in this cold cruel world. At that time we had to put "us" in a bigger perspective to include my son into the "WE". Now this was a challenge but we became good parents and even better spouses with this change in our lives.
A few years passed and another change in our lives occurred, the decision to move out of New York to Richmond, VA. Whew now that was a divine act of God. You see had we not been moving on a whim as we did, my husband would have been employed at the Twin Towers, what most know as the World Trade Center. He would have been working in the lower level of those buildings had we stayed in NYC. What is absolutely amazing about this part of our story is that for about a month my husband traveled back and forth from NYC to Richmond preparing to move with his family. His scheduled date to leave NYC was September 11, 2001. God has a sure plan for us as a family. On the day he was to leave as I was talking to him I saw the first plane hit a building that I have seen and visited all of my life. Mind you my husband had the rest of his belongings on his person as he was serving his last day at his job in NYC. Well as I was talking to him on the phone about the first plane, the second plane hit and the phone went dead. Can you imagine my fear? Can you imagine his fear? We lost contact for a couple of hours, as I watched the tv screen at the city I was born and raised in go under attack all sorts of images rushed through my head. God moved me to go and get my son from school where he had been crying since I dropped him off. Sometimes I wonder if he had some feeling as to what was going on in his home town. Well I finally heard from my husband who was walking with a co-worker from midtown to 135th street in Harlem where his father resided. They walked and walked and walked and as I and my sister in law fervently prayed for sign from God that he was ok and there safely the phone rung on the other end. Isn't it amazing what God does when you are faithful and truly depend on Him? My husband, my friend was fine and would be leaving the city on September 12, 2001. When he came in on the train there were armed soldiers and FBI on top of the amtrak train. What a joy it was to see him walk out of that train safe and unharmed. I am crying as I type. What a mighty God we serve. That one event changed not only our lives but it so affirmed the faith that God has placed in us to be so true to Him in in our words, thoughts and actions.
Well, if your bored with this story it only gets better. In 2003 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and in 2004 our life had another upheaval. I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Of course we couldn't believe it and knew that this had to be a mistake. But through all the pain, the bouts of not being able to walk, the crying, the hospital stays this man stood by my side with a praying heart and a strong will for me to recover and live a normal life. He didn't tuck his tail and run. He took his vows seriously and stayed and is still staying through sickness and health. What a difference this made in our relationship. He has had to put up with some craziness with me but has always made it a point to say I love, to plant a kiss on my cheeck, my forehead my lips. Never complaining about anything he has been that strong tree in the storm.
On this day I can truly say that my decision to marry this man was really bound by God. He has truly kept his hand on our marriage and our family. I know he has so much more in store for us as we grow old together. I told my husband divorce is not an option you are stuck with me. Through thick and thin, through trials and tribulations, through ups and downs, through fat and skinny we are in it for the long run.
At our wedding we had the song Flesh of my Flesh playing while we were lighting the unity candle. It goes like this...
You are flesh of my flesh
Bone of my bone
There's no one closer
You are flesh of my flesh
Bone of my bone
We are one
I do pledge my life to you
Forever and always
I will take good care of you
And shower you with praise
Others try and separate us
But they don't have a chance
No one else can take your place
No not even one
I do give my life to you
Today and everyday
I will stand right by your side
Whatever comes our way
I have searched and searched for someone
Who'd make my dreams come true
Nowhere else on this earth
Is there anyone like you
The storms of life can blow and blow
But they won't knock me down
We'll stand the test
The test of time
Cause we stand on Holy ground.
That song has surely depicted our story and was the most appropriate song for our union. I have to say I love my husband and I wouldn't change a thing through out our lives. I am so happy and blessed to have him in my life and look forward to many more years laughing, crying, praying with him.
Matthew 19:6 "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
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