It Takes Two, Baby

My last few posts have been a doting-palooza on my most precious blessings, my children. I am so thankful that God gave them to me, and in turn, I gave them right back to Him through their baptisms. It is truly a gift and an honor to be their Mommy, but I wouldn’t even be a mother if I hadn’t become a wife, and I wouldn’t be a wife if the greatest man I have ever known hadn’t gotten down on one knee in front of a church on a frigid Christmas Eve and asked me to be his bride. He’s a pretty humble guy, so I hope that he doesn’t mind that I’m writing about him. I don’t know if I can even come up with all the words to adequately describe just how great of a guy he is, but I’m sure going to give it my best effort.

I’m sitting here in Anthony’s office as I’m writing this and looking at a family photo that he placed on his desk from our trip to Destin last summer. I stare at him in that photo and can’t help but smile. Anthony is one of those guys that you don’t come across very often. In fact, for me, he’s a once in a lifetime catch. He’s full of passion and fire, especially about his faith and our family, yet he’s so gentle and light-hearted. His is a passionate love, given freely and without reserve, and all you have to do is look into his eyes to see just how true and genuine he really is.

If you’re not completely familiar with our story, here’s a brief intro. We met through a Catholic dating website and actually fell in love before we even met. It was a total and complete God-incident. I mean, how can you possibly fall in love with someone that you’ve never even met face to face unless God was in the equation?  I never imagined in a million years that something like that could actually happen outside of the fairytale worlds created by Disney, but it did and it took me completely by surprise. Funny thing is that when he found me online, I was pretty close to giving up on the website. The only reason I joined was because I had hope that there was more to dating than what I was sadly growing accustom to. I kept dating the same kinds of guys, and found myself yearning for a relationship with more sustenance. I was eager to find a love that was holy. I prayed a long time for my future husband to be revealed to me, and then low and behold, God steered me into the world of online dating. Honestly, I thought He was nuts, but He has never been wrong so I reluctantly obliged. Almost a year later, I receive an email from a very attractive young man living in Las Vegas that embraced the same beliefs as me, and well, our happily ever after is still in progress. It amazes me that, after we did the math, we’d only been in each other’s physical presence for 30 days spread over a year and a half stretch before we got married. It sounds crazy and precarious, but it all worked out beautifully just the way God intended it to.

Marrying Anthony was the easiest decision I had ever made. I knew how much he loved me, not just because he told me as much, but I could see it every time I looked into his eyes. Oh, those eyes! His eyes are definitely a window to his beautiful soul. You can sense the Holy Spirit within him, and I think that’s why people are so drawn to him, including myself. God works through him to touch others and the best part is that he doesn’t even realize it. He knows he’s a nice guy, but he doesn’t realize just how truly special he is, and I think that makes him all the more fascinating.

If you’re looking for a true friend, then Anthony is your guy. I can honestly say he’s the most amazing friend I’ve ever had. We have lots in common, but just enough differences to keep things fun and interesting. We’re always together (practically 24/7) and I believe the reason we haven’t driven each other stark raving mad is because of the fact that we are best friends and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I’d rather watch football and drink beer or go to a soccer game and cheer obnoxiously loud (GO DYNAMO!) with Anthony than with anyone else. I love that we are buddies just as much as we are lovers. Our BFF status is just one of the many facets of our marriage that I treasure.

Anthony‘s devotion to our family is nothing short of extraordinary. He completely empties himself to love and serve us just as Jesus has called him (all of us) to do. We all have our “moments” with one other in our family, but Anthony is usually the one to step up and apologize first. What a wonderful example he sets for our children (and for me)! And as willing as he is to say he’s sorry, he’s even that much more willing to forgive. His aptitude for forgiveness is awe inspiring, especially for someone like me who is quick to hold grudges. He always tells me that I make him want to be a better man, but I think it’s more the other way around. He makes me want to be a better person and an even more committed Christ-follower.

Some of my most precious moments with Anthony are when we finally have some alone time at night after the children are tucked away, but even more precious are the times we have spent in worship together. Anthony’s faith is what made me fall in love with him to begin with. I’ve never known another man to be so open and candid about his faith. When we hold hands to pray together at home or worship as a family at church, something significant that transcends time and space happens. It’s truly supernatural and I can’t find a word to describe it other than joy. It’s a small glimpse into what eternity will be like when we are before the throne of our God singing His praises amongst the angels and all the company of Heaven.

Our vows were, “Until death do us part”, and we are both committed heart and soul to that most sacred of promises. However, I feel that not even death can truly separate us. A love like ours couldn’t possibly lay dormant in a grave. Our love is more alive than we are because that love is from God. I know once we are in Heaven together, we won’t be married any longer. There’s no need for marriage there, but it’s amazing to think that the love we have now will be far surpassed by the love we will have for each other (and everyone) once we have entered into eternity. Try as I might, I really can’t wrap my mind around it! It’s going to be a glorious time of singing and dancing and laughing, and I have a chance to share all of that with my beloved. What a privilege!

In the meantime, I’m going to continue to treasure everything that I love about him. I don’t want to take one second of this beautiful life together for granted. My time with him and our children is more precious than anything this world could ever offer me. Anthony, in case you haven’t noticed, I am rather fond of you (and our kids). From day one, God has laid everything out for us seamlessly. We’ve had one adventure after another, but the one that I enjoy the most with you is right here in this moment of our lives as parents to young children. I wouldn’t have those three beautiful children upstairs if it weren’t for you and your ability to love so purely. Your love continues to inspire me to be everything that God intends for me to be. Thank you for being His instrument in my life and allowing Him to work on me through you. Thank you for being my best friend, and I hope I make you at least a fraction of how happy you have made me. I look forward to many more days of love and laughter. I love you, darling. Infinity times infinity. (Beat ya!)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.”- Colossians 3:12-15