Three years ago today I had the great privilege of walking down the aisle of the beautiful Oak Creek United Methodist Church, escorted by my wonderful little boy,towards the love of my life and the beginning our new life together as husband and wife. The day was a dream, everything was perfect. I felt like I was floating on air from sun up to when I finally closed my eyes that night. I was surely the happiest girl on earth.
Three years have passed now and when I reflect on my life I continue to be as happy and as blessed as I was that day.
The only thing I wished we had done different that day was to either have written our own vows or to have toasted him at the reception. In either case I would have taken the opportunity to speak what was on my heart and to tell him, and all the friends and family we were surrounded by, in my very own words (and tears I'm sure) exactly what he means so much to me. I imagine it would have gone something like this:
Jason - I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for giving me the honor of being your wife. I love journeying through our life together as partners.
Thank you for loving me just as I am in all my gifts and certainly in all my imperfections of which there are many. Thank you for your patience and perseverance when things have not been easy. Thank you for having enough faith for both of us sometimes to get us through the rough patches. You are such a blessing.
Thank you for being my dream maker - I cannot believe what we have experienced in three years and I certainly cannot imagine what wonderful things the future has in store for us. I have not met a man your equal who is so determined to live as wonderful and rewarding a life full of adventure, meaning, and love. I owe so much to you. You are an inspiration.
Thank you for being courageous enough to be a real man. You encompass everything a man should be - strength of character, dedication to your faith and your family, and a wonderful sense of priorities in life with the ability to keep them ever-present in your daily living. But what I love most about you is your heart - it is tender and strong and brave. You are never too afraid or too proud to share with me the inner workings of your heart. I am certain God is so proud to call you son for you are such a wonderful example of what God intended a man to be.
Thank you for being a father. We have accomplished so much since that magical day in December when our little girl entered the world and filled our hearts. I know the road has not been easy the past few months as we have adjusted to a new kind of parenthood but I could not have asked for a better partner. Our little girl is so lucky to have you as her daddy. I honestly have to thank you even more for being a father to Grady. It takes a rare and special sort of man to be able to share the role in his life that you do. Your ability to love him as if you have been his dad right from day one is a special, special gift and not something everyone has the ability to do. This is perhaps your greatest gift to me.
You are cut from a very rare cloth Jason Mahnke and I am so incredibly blessed and grateful to be your wife. Thank you. I love you more than I can even try to express. Happy anniversary my love!
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