What can I say? I landed the jackpot when I married Cornelius. He's intelligent, kind, hard working, faithful, committed, loyal, authentic, fun, adventurous, a Spiritual Leader, loving, a servant, and he's MINE. :) We've gone through our ups and downs like most marriages. But I firmly believe that Cornelius and I have had an "unusually" blessed marriage. Yes we've faced financial hardships and a miscarriage. But really, we've mostly experienced blessing with our 3 beautiful daughters, family that loves and supports us, good jobs and a home that is full of real friendship, intimacy, and I feel like...dare I say it, God's favor and blessing.
I remember the day Cornelius professed his love for me. It was under the willow tree at the home we presently own. At that time it was my Aunt's home- who would have known we'd own that willow tree and have that precious memory in our back yard?! And I knew that he was the man God had chosen just for me. I was still dealing with old emotions from a past relationship at that time, and still in the process of healing from my car accident when Cornelius told me he was committed to loving me the rest of his life. So I wasn't full of mushy gooshy love and butterflies when he told me "He Loved Me". Instead I was full of peace, confidence and assurance that this was right and that God's way is the best. Two months later in January of 199, Cornelius proposed and then married August 7th 1999.
It rained on our wedding day. I was on cloud nine and just a very typical giddy bride. Mom was afraid to tell me it was raining outside...you know, all the talk and superstition on having rain on your wedding. BUT, the first thought that came to mind when they told me it was raining outside was "SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS.....I shall have showers of blessings."
And now here we are, 13 years later. Now, with all this said, I don't want to sound like we have had perfection or 13 years of wedful bliss. I want to make sure that this blog represents the whole spectrum of our colorful marriage. The first month of marriage I was telling Cornelius to get out of my bed and sleep on the couch- and when he wouldn't go, I went to the couch!! And I was praying "God, change Cornelius! He needs to be like.....blah blah blah." And it was in that first month God taught me a valuable lesson. Marriage is not about changing people- but it does change you. It changed my attitude and heart when God spoke to my heart about ME needing to change.
I did tell you that Cornelius makes my life adventurous so now I have to tell you a story. Today I had to drop the girls off at the sitters. I got there at 7am and she wasn't there- and I realized that Cornelius must have forgotten to communicate with her that I would be coming early with the girls. So I wait and thankfully Amanda arrives ahead of time. I leave quickly and as I'm driving and had the truck on cruise, the truck pulls out of cruise and proceeds to sputter and slow down...."Could it be that I'm out of gas?" and then I remember that Cornelius did mention he needed to put gas in his truck the day before. So here I am on the side of the road, no cell phone (because it got washed in the washer the night before) walking from house to house, looking for someone to help me. After my 3rd house, a gentlemen offered to take me to town to get gas and fill up his little gas can. I was feeling so overwhelmed and worried about getting to work, that I just got in his truck and away we went. Thankfully, he was truly a good samaritan and alls well that ends well. So, I TOTALLY BLAME my husband for this adventure this morning. 13 years ago we had an adventure when we went camping on our honeymoon, and I got a horrible UTI and Cornelius was trekking me through the woods, rivers and caves and I finally had to have him take me to civiliazation to get medical treatment for my UTI.....I can smile when I tell people about this story now.
Oh and there have been other fun adventures and some not so fun but here's what I said on my Facebook today:
"Thirteen years ago I married a man who has added adventure, love and joy to my life (and some headaches!) But he has taught me that through thick and thin, we are committed to eachother and that our love is strong even in the valleys of life and I'm so thankful for that. Cornelius, here is to many more years together and to becoming more and more beautiful as we "age". :) Happy Anniversary!"
