Seventeen years ago today I married the love of my life. If I could write a letter and mail it back to him on our wedding day in 1993, this is how it would read:
Dear Steve,
Don't mean to scare ya, but we are in for one wild ride. After spending the past seven years together, there isn't a better decision we could make in marrying each other today. God has had his hand on us and He'll never let us go as individuals or as the couple that he brought together.
Within the next few months, our "in sickness and in health" vows will be greatly tested. God will choose to save me and our baby and we will go on to have our own basketball team. I highly advise that you stay at the top of your game.
Continue to be the saver that you are, as I'll develop an affinity for little blue boxes from Tiffany & Co.
Hone your communication and problem solving skills. Don't forget what you learned in your business law classes, you'll draw deeply from that knowledge over the next decade.
Continue to encourage me to write, it will take precisely 14 years, but I will listen and eventually use the college degree you helped pay for.
Also continue to save for your dream car, I don't want to totally spoil it but 9-1-1 is in your future and it's no emergency.
We will meet fabulous people who will love us and let us down.
We will passionately love our family and friends, and we will let them down.
We will try to be perfect, but will often fall short. Be gentle with both of us and stay open to receiving God's grace and forgiveness.
Know that I won't abandon our love, but I will love you with abandon.
Know that I will test your patience mightily.
There will be ecstatic joy, searing pain and everything in between.
But most of all, know that through it all, I will love you and our sons with everything in me.
Many, many years from now, I want to go out in a blaze of glory-
Holding your hand.
All my love,
Audra
Audra,
Awww...what a wonderful and public expression of your love for Steve. Life is an amazing thing, and here you two are - somehow many years ago your paths crossed. And look at the beautiful life you have created.
And...I find this so interesting...my wife and I were married in January also (very cool!) (in more ways than one, since our wedding took place in Wisconsin!!).
Happy Anniversary, Audra and Steve!!!!
Posted by: Lance | Saturday, January 09, 2010 at 08:38 PM
That is a precious letter to your man. :0) I hope you had a wonderful anniversary!
Posted by: lisaschaos | Saturday, January 09, 2010 at 09:43 PM
Thanks Lisa, we just had the best nice at our favorite Steakhouse!
Posted by: Audra Krell | Saturday, January 09, 2010 at 09:52 PM
That is cool Lance, what day is your anniversary and how many years? Thanks for your comment and support, as always!
Posted by: Audra Krell | Saturday, January 09, 2010 at 09:53 PM
This is beautiful, and a tradition that all couples should embrace! Congrats, Audra and Steve, and here's to the next 16 years on your 'ride'!
Posted by: Sari | Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Happy Anniversary. Your letter gave me chills, that is really beautiful. wishing you many more years of happiness!
Posted by: Stacey Shipman | Monday, January 11, 2010 at 09:45 AM
Thanks Stacey! We had a great weekend celebrating and we are hoping for many more too! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Posted by: Audra Krell | Monday, January 11, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Hi Audra, what a beautiful letter. That's amazing that you still kept it for seventeen years. Congrats!
Posted by: Hulbert | Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 11:27 AM
It is too nice to know about your life spirit...
your frankness in sharing love with your life partner..you should be a so soft in nature..really I want to live like you and your approach in love with life partner...keep sharing.
Posted by: Web Design Company | Monday, February 01, 2010 at 12:38 AM