32 years of love and devotion :)

Love and Devotion: The Webster's Dictionary defines the two words as profoundly tender and passionate affection towards someone and profound dedication or ernest attachment to someone or something.

What do those words mean to you? We all say I love you to the people we care about in our life, often many times a day, but how do you actually show those words to your loved ones? My husband has been showing me abundant amounts of both of those everyday for the past 32 years.


Tomorrow is my 32nd Wedding Anniversary. On May 26th, 1978, my wonderful husband and I were married in a quiet and private outside ceremony under a beautiful tulip tree near a small church by a ordained Minister. My hubby had been brought up Catholic, and although I had no strong church connection, I was baptized a Methodist. We had no church affiliation at the time, or family in the area, but we did want to get married in a church, by a minister, so we opted for a small ceremony so as to not offend the families that could not join us for the occasion.

It was 6 o clock at night and it was a beautiful evening. It was just the two of us and our two dear friends. It was a lovely ceremony, and because it was so lovely and warm, we opted to get married outside, instead of inside the church. All the flowers were in bloom and it was just a gorgeous setting for the union of two young lovers starting out on their life journey together. I remember clearly thinking when I was saying my vows "I really love this man, and I am so happy he is in my life. This is a good thing I am doing." I didn't think it was possible to feel more love than I was at that moment because my heart was overflowing with love and emotion. I was very wrong about that, because 32 years later, my heart and everything I am is bursting at the seams with love for this man of my dreams.

When we took those vows 32 years ago, I think we were both pretty serious and totally knew the committment we were making to each other. We have had a wonderful life together, with two beautiful children. I would be lying if I said it's all been wine and roses. It hasn't, and I don't think anyone that's been married as long as we have can say it's all been fun and games. Just the stress of daily living, holding down jobs, paying mortgages, raising kids, etc. Life basically - can put tremendous strains on a marriage, but we've hung in there and I'm so glad we are still together after all these years. Wasn't that a Paul Simon song? I wouldn't want it any other way.


When I got sick 13 years ago, I could never, in a million years, have measured the total love and devotion that the man I married showed me. He has been there for me, through thick and thin, every step of the way, since the day I got sick and every day since then.

Having multiple sclerosis is not a little illness that you get over and then you are better. MS is a lifelong, chronic, progressive, debilitating disease that my whole family, especially my husband, has had to live with each day since my diagnosis. It moves right along, and over the years since my diagnosis, I have gone from being a totally self-sufficient person, who was taking care of my family including my two young sons, working, traveling, vacationing, and totally engaged in life, to someone who can no longer drive, can hardly walk, has trouble thinking, cooking, standing or doing housework, or anything else for longer than a few hours at a time. It has been a big difference for everyone in my life, especially my husband, but he has stood by my side without flinching. I know it hasn't been easy. I can be a very difficult person when I want to, but I will be forever thankful to him for his continued patience, and his many daily kindnesses and generosity towards me.


I feel so incredibly blessed to have someone who loves me despite all my increasing physical challenges. What a lucky girl I am! Many men would have hit the road long ago. Not my guy. Did you know that MS'ers have the highest divorce rate around? After having lived with this disease and seen what's it's done to me and my family, I can understand why. It can't be easy to watch someone you love slowly disappear right before your eyes. My husband has always been so loyal and so steadfast in his love for me that he blows me away each day. He is the strongest man I know; physically, emotionally, and mentally.

God was really smiling on me the day I married Steve Watts, 32 years ago. I want to shout it to the world, and so I am! I will forever be grateful to our Lord, for putting this man of such character, such love and so much devotion in my path. Talk about a "God" thing as I say about watching God at work in your life. My Creator has been working in and through my life for many years with this wonderful man I married. The Lord has been all over me my entire life and I will be forever grateful to Him. Thank you Jesus!


Happy Anniversary Honey. You are my knight in shining armour. I wish we could be together tomorrow but please know that you are here, with me right now, in my heart. I will see you soon and we can celebrate together :)

I will love you always,

Nicki



My verse for today is on love from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13



"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails...

...And now these three main: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love."



My prayer for today:


Thank you Lord for this amazing man you put in my path 32 years ago. Thank you for his abundant patience, kindness, love and devotion towards me and our children. Watch over him and protect him. Give him strength to get through each day. Guide him in all his business decisions and our family decisions. Thank you Jesus for each day we have together. Bless everyone we love and keep them safe.

In Jesus Mighty Name I pray,

Amen