Into The Blue is about finding joy in simple pleasures. One of those pleasures is romantic love.
This week is a special milestone. It marks 35 years of marriage to my amazing wife. I’d like to tell you about her today. She is the joy of my life.
My passion for many things has dimmed over the course of three and a half decades, but not my passion for her. If anything, it is stronger, brighter, more intense. I have seen her grow, I have seen her suffer, I have seen her triumph. She is glorious. I stand in awe of her, every single day.
Of all the blessings God has bestowed on me, she is the greatest. She has been the primary conduit of his love and grace in my life, day after day, year after year, decade after decade. If I lost everything but could just sit in the ashes next to her, holding hands, I would still be the richest, most blessed man on earth.
What makes her so special? Well, I would need a whole book to answer that question. Let me share just a few things.
My Wife is Captivating
I vividly remember the first moment I laid eyes on her. It was September 1989, and my best friend and I were newly minted Army officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama. We were training to become aviators, and we had all the Top Gun cockiness to go with it. We went into a nearby club and sat down. A cocktail waitress approached to take our order. When she arrived at our table, time stopped, and I became a mere boy.
That cocktail waitress was my future wife. She was stunning, with a mischievous smile, eyes brimming with life. She was confident, playful, in charge. She had a presence, a force – life was not happening to her, she was happening to life. I was entranced.
At the time, I was wholly content to become her friend. She was so far out of my league that a romantic relationship seemed laughable. It was a privilege just to be in her presence. That she later fell in love and agreed to marry me seemed a miracle on par with Jesus’ resurrection. It still does.
My Wife is Fierce
My wife is not to be trifled with. She is committed. She is decisive. She makes things happen. You might knock her down, but she is getting back up. You’d better be ready.
I remember sitting together, holding hands, in the doctor’s office in August 2013 when we got her test results. It was cancer.
I was struck to the core. Shock. Fear. No, God, no. Why? Don’t take away my sunshine. Desperation. Take this from her; put it in me. Silence. Terrible silence.
She was struck too. But she got back up. And she went on the attack. Over and over.
Her motto: Be strong and courageous. God will see me through.
Two hellacious years. Fourteen surgeries, the first one 14 hours long. Blood clots. Hyperbaric chambers. Wound VAC’s. Shots, so many shots.
After the dust settled, she was still standing. Stunning, mischievous smile, eyes brimming with life. A little shaken, a little banged up. But confident, playful, in charge.
She put on the most inspiring display of heroism and courage I have ever seen. It was the greatest privilege of my life to walk with her and witness such faith and tenacity.
My Wife Loves Deeply
But the greatest thing about my wife is the way she loves. She loves with her whole mind, soul, and strength. She loves fiercely. She loves like Jesus.
In December 2024, I finished out a fruitful, lifelong career in military and government service. That career is my defining achievement.
But really, it is hers. She was with me at the beginning, from that September day in 1989, and she saw me through to the end. She encouraged me, she built me up, she advocated for me. She consoled me when I failed, and she gave me courage to succeed. She believed in me, and she made me believe in myself. She loved me.
She loved me like Jesus. She could have easily become a titan of industry. Yet she gave up cherry jobs, golden opportunities, over and over, for my career. She even turned down a Chief Operating Officer (COO) position to prioritize family. She supported the family so I could go to school. She is our glue, my rock. She sacrificed herself for me and our kids.
My Greatest Joy
So you see, when I contemplate joy, how could my wife not be the first thing I see, the only thing I need. She is the love of my life. She is my joie de vivre. I am blessed just to stand next to her, hand in hand. I praise God for every second.
A Short Meditation
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels…
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
God created women to be super heroes. And that’s what they are.
Women, know that God has great plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He gave his very son for you. He desires for you to give yourself to him in return. He desires for you to become bold, strong, wise, and merciful. He desires to see your light shining, not hidden away. Lean into that.
Men, praise God for the women in your life. Honor them, encourage them, build them up. Most of all, get out of the way. You don’t tug on Superwoman’s cape.
What an epic tribute! That is the most romantic eloquent tribute I think I’ve ever read about married love life. Thank you!
That was simply beautiful! You are truly blessed and so is your wife!