We got hitched...again!
Valentine's Day was a pretty special day for us this year. We were able to renew our vows during church yesterday! It was pretty emotional, to say the least. I started beast crying because all I could think of was everything we've been through and survived the last 12 years that we've been together. I mean, how did we do it?!?
We were just babies when we got married...well, I was a baby. He was robbing the cradle...ha! I had just turned 22 and he was 27. We met 3 years earlier and got engaged New Years Eve 2000. Yes, at midnight when everyone was afraid that all of the computers were going to crash and it would be the end of the world! Yeah right. Anyway, we were engaged for a year and a half before we married May 19, 2001.
We met while working at a pizza restaurant together when I was attending USC. Our original plans were to elope to Vegas when we FIRST met...like the FIRST WEEK we dated...thank God we had enough sense to wait. We were extremely wild and carefree in the early days and had a little too much fun together. As a matter of fact, we still do. I knew from the moment I met Andy that I was going to marry him. My family believed otherwise because I was so young, but I knew.
It was after we married that we decided to go back to school and actually finish this time. We both worked full time together at a grocery store while we were in school full time. I then took on an additional job at a nursing home while I was working on my RN. We never, ever saw each other and it really sucked. It was a very stressful time in our marriage. Our main goal was to finish school so that we could have degrees before we started trying to have kids...and that's exactly what we did. Andy graduated in December 2004 and I graduated in May 2005. You all know the rest of the story.
Back to the vow renewal...the entire church service focused on renewal and recommitment in our lives. Below is an excerpt from the sermon:
Our pastor spoke of his marriage and the tough times that he and his wife have made it through. He and his wife became pregnant very shortly after they married. Eighteen months into their marriage, she was six months pregnant with their second child. This was so stressful on their relationship that she packed up and moved to a different state to live with her parents for a few weeks. They just couldn't take it anymore. Their marriage ultimately survived, and they are now stronger than ever and happily married with four children.
So, as we were renewing our vows, all of these thoughts kept running through my head. I am amazed by the irony of it all and how all of us perceive the challenges that we are faced with in our lives. What one person may take for granted, another may yearn for...be it love, health, money, children, etc.
The stress in their marriage was caused by children...the stress in our marriage is caused by the lack thereof.
So what do we do? We do what God tells us to do. We haven't been the best at going to church throughout our entire relationship...we have always said that we'd make a habit of it once we had kids, but, well ya know. Then the whole not being able to have kids thing led to being somewhat angry at God and everything went downhill from there. In the past couple of months, something has led us to a wonderful church in our hometown for a reason. Maybe this is exactly what we need in our lives to help us to understand why things are the way they are. I'm not saying that God is punishing us for not going to church, but maybe infertility is His way of bringing us closer to Him.
We have had so many "signs" the last month in regards to what we need to do next on our journey. We still need to talk to our doctor in Charleston to discuss any options he has left for us, so I will keep you all updated on this. We want to weigh the pros and cons of EVERYTHING and go with what will give us the best possible chance of having our little family. We're trying to make an appointment to see him in March.
We have made it through almost 9 years of marriage, and the last 5 have brought us closer than ever. Sure, we've had more fights because of all the tension, but we have learned so much about each other. We almost ran out of the good stuff, but hopefully this new adventure will start putting the good stuff back into our life. If we've made it through all of this, then we're pretty much set for life.
We were just babies when we got married...well, I was a baby. He was robbing the cradle...ha! I had just turned 22 and he was 27. We met 3 years earlier and got engaged New Years Eve 2000. Yes, at midnight when everyone was afraid that all of the computers were going to crash and it would be the end of the world! Yeah right. Anyway, we were engaged for a year and a half before we married May 19, 2001.
We met while working at a pizza restaurant together when I was attending USC. Our original plans were to elope to Vegas when we FIRST met...like the FIRST WEEK we dated...thank God we had enough sense to wait. We were extremely wild and carefree in the early days and had a little too much fun together. As a matter of fact, we still do. I knew from the moment I met Andy that I was going to marry him. My family believed otherwise because I was so young, but I knew.
It was after we married that we decided to go back to school and actually finish this time. We both worked full time together at a grocery store while we were in school full time. I then took on an additional job at a nursing home while I was working on my RN. We never, ever saw each other and it really sucked. It was a very stressful time in our marriage. Our main goal was to finish school so that we could have degrees before we started trying to have kids...and that's exactly what we did. Andy graduated in December 2004 and I graduated in May 2005. You all know the rest of the story.
Back to the vow renewal...the entire church service focused on renewal and recommitment in our lives. Below is an excerpt from the sermon:
In marriage, like in all of our relationships, there is always a need for renewal. Marriage is not easy. We can focus on the bad and let that define the relationship.
Have you run out of the good stuff? Everything in our lives starts out with the best stuff we have to give. In our careers, we pour the very best we have in the beginning. This is also true of our relationships with Christ. In our marriages, somewhere along the way, we run out of the good stuff and don't have what it takes to go on. What do you do? You do what God tells you to do.
Have you run out of the good stuff? Everything in our lives starts out with the best stuff we have to give. In our careers, we pour the very best we have in the beginning. This is also true of our relationships with Christ. In our marriages, somewhere along the way, we run out of the good stuff and don't have what it takes to go on. What do you do? You do what God tells you to do.
Our pastor spoke of his marriage and the tough times that he and his wife have made it through. He and his wife became pregnant very shortly after they married. Eighteen months into their marriage, she was six months pregnant with their second child. This was so stressful on their relationship that she packed up and moved to a different state to live with her parents for a few weeks. They just couldn't take it anymore. Their marriage ultimately survived, and they are now stronger than ever and happily married with four children.
So, as we were renewing our vows, all of these thoughts kept running through my head. I am amazed by the irony of it all and how all of us perceive the challenges that we are faced with in our lives. What one person may take for granted, another may yearn for...be it love, health, money, children, etc.
The stress in their marriage was caused by children...the stress in our marriage is caused by the lack thereof.
So what do we do? We do what God tells us to do. We haven't been the best at going to church throughout our entire relationship...we have always said that we'd make a habit of it once we had kids, but, well ya know. Then the whole not being able to have kids thing led to being somewhat angry at God and everything went downhill from there. In the past couple of months, something has led us to a wonderful church in our hometown for a reason. Maybe this is exactly what we need in our lives to help us to understand why things are the way they are. I'm not saying that God is punishing us for not going to church, but maybe infertility is His way of bringing us closer to Him.
We have had so many "signs" the last month in regards to what we need to do next on our journey. We still need to talk to our doctor in Charleston to discuss any options he has left for us, so I will keep you all updated on this. We want to weigh the pros and cons of EVERYTHING and go with what will give us the best possible chance of having our little family. We're trying to make an appointment to see him in March.
We have made it through almost 9 years of marriage, and the last 5 have brought us closer than ever. Sure, we've had more fights because of all the tension, but we have learned so much about each other. We almost ran out of the good stuff, but hopefully this new adventure will start putting the good stuff back into our life. If we've made it through all of this, then we're pretty much set for life.
Right after we started dating, November 1998
Wedding, May 2001
Wedding, May 2001
Honeymoon, May 2001
Photographer taking pictures after the vow renewal...I love this church, I don't have to dress up! I HATE dressing up. Happy Valentine's Day!
13 comments:
That's completely sweet.
Oh honey, that is one amazing story! I can't believe you have been together for that long because you two still act as if you are newlyweds! G also robbed the craddle...I was a young 22 year old and he was 28! It is amazing when you find someone who loves you, good and bad! I'm so happy you have that and I know the next 12 years are going to be even more wonderful than the first 12.
Score on not having to dress up...I hate dressing up for Church but I would totally look like a scrub if I went in jeans. Guys wear jeans but woman don't...maybe I should start a trend! :)
Love you! XOXOXOXOXO
Oh my goodness! Congratulations! What an awesome story Jessica, I really enjoyed reading that. You two are amazing people and have been through some hard times. I can "hear" it in your voice that your love is deeper because of those tough times. I am so happy for yall! YAY!
The pictures are beautiful. That was a beautiful thing to do on Valentine's Day. It is so easy to get mad at God. I think that the direction you are going is good and taking God with you will help you, I promise.
Congrats...that is really great!!
What a great post!! I feel the same about infertility bringing us closer to God. We are excited to join a new church. Throughout all this, I know as well as you do, we are blessed with our husbands who have been there for us the entire time!! Congrats on the renewal of your vows!!
I LOVE THIS STORY!!! Bear & I have been praying for you and Andy over these past couple of years...not only just for you to have your little family, but also for your marriage. I can only imagine what kind of strain it could put on a marriage, but I get so excited to read something like you've just written...I guess it shows us all that no matter what God throws our way (good or bad), we CAN get through it...and even though you may not know what it is yet, I believe God has something AWESOME for you & Andy! And I love that you've found a good church that you & Andy can be a part of...and that is such an awesome renewal for you & Andy to have made on Valentine's day. We love you guys!!
Ahhh this is so completely awesome!!!! Congrats again =)
While it is a wonderful post, I'm afraid to ask."What dance were we doing in that photo?" You and I both had our left legs up! Just curious!
Somehow I missed this post! Congratulations on your vow renewal! I loved reading about your history and how far you have come together :) Prayers for many more blessed years!
Fabulous post.
I think it's wonderful that you've found a new church that you love. And so lovely that you renewed your vows. That almost seems like something all IFer's should do. Dealing with all this can put A LOT of strain on a marriage, what better way to rejuvenate the passion than by renewing your vows?
Almost nine years... Congratulations!
Congratulations on renewing your vows. It sounds like a wonderful thing to do. My hubby and I are coming up on 10 years and I have thought about doing that as well. In the last 10 yrs we have been through so much but I believe it has made us stronger together. Doesn't mean I like everything we have been through but I am glad that he has been by my side.
I hope all your dreams come true and the next 9 years and more are filled with peace, love and happiness!
such a great idea!! congratulations!
my hubby robbed the cradle too! lol! we met when i was 18, he was 25. married when i was 21, he was 28. it's always fun looking back at old photos.
congrats again!
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