Thursday, June 05, 2008

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Saturday, June 7, 2008 will mark our 27th wedding anniversary. Sometimes it feels as if it were only yesterday that we were planning are our wedding. Today, I look back and appreciate all the blessings God has placed in our lives. Tom is in remission, we have two adult children and I love him more today than I did the day we wed.

I tell young couples that are getting married that the honeymoon never has to end. The truth is reality sets in and responsibility is a part of adult life, but the honeymoon – the feelings of love and passion grows with time.

I may not be a great gardener, but I know this much it takes work to make your garden bloom. It doesn’t just happen. You have to mow the lawn or you appear to live in a jungle. You do have to water your plants so that they can grow and not die. The result can be a thing of beauty.

How much more effort should you put into your marriage to make it bloom. I often talk about Tom on this blog and how much I love him. He’s a good man, a good father and a good friend and that’s just to me personally. He loves me and shows it by his actions (just this week he baked me a chocolate caramel cake for no particular reason at all, just because he loves me).

Marriage is both parties giving 100% or more of themselves. One thing I’ve found is that our children grow up and leave, as well as it should be. It’s important to spend time together especially as the children are growing up. I’m a firm believer on going on dates even if it’s on the couch watching a DVD after the kids are in bed. I’m so grateful our families were close by when my kids were younger – sleepovers at least once a month was not only great for them but for us.

This Saturday I celebrate love. I celebrate marrying my high school sweetheart and the love of my life. I celebrate being married to my best friend and my biggest supporter. I celebrate you Tom. I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being there for me in good time and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, until death do us part.

Know that I will remain –

Forever Yours,

Nadine

© 2008

30 comments:

Emancipation of the Freed said...

27 years, wow!

How can one man be so blessed?

I love & appreciate you more than words can say.

Tom

Dawn said...

What a wonderful tribute, and Happy Anniversary! I didn't realize you had been through so much health wise - I missed that somehow!

I was editing and amending my blog for today when you came over to comment. Come on back, if you have time, and see my Show and Tell Friday!

a woman who is said...

Congradualations! I know you will have a great day!

palmtreefanatic said...

Happy Anniversary! you are a very Blessed woman!

United Studies said...

Let me be the fourth to wish you a Happy Anniversary!!

Louise said...

WOW that is awesome!
Happy Happy Anniversary! All the best to you and your hubby as you celebrate!

Great advice for couples...thanks dear! me and my hubby will be adding to our 'garden' this weekend by spending the weekend alone dating and spending time....love it!!
Blessings to yoU!!

Lala's world said...

that was so beautiful and so true! I know that in my marriage we are in love more now after almost 13 years then when we got married, it is exciting cuz I know it's just going to get better and better too!

Happy Anniversary!!

Damselfly said...

WOW! Happy anniversary! You are so blessed.

Tammy said...

What an absolutely beautiful tribute, Nadine!
It's so true...marriage can be wonderful but it does take some work!
You seem truly blessed with an incredible union...
A very Happy Anniversary to both of you!

Kate said...

:0)
You Two Rock!!

Scarlet said...

I love the way you write about your husband. We should all write that way about our husbands! (Hint, hint...to myself!) ;)

How can you not love a man who bakes chocolate caramel cake just because he loves you? Aw.

Happy Anniversary to a couple that inspires me to be a better wife!

Debbie said...

Happy Anniversary. I can't wait to say I've been married 27 years. I bet the years just seem like they have flown by.

Dawn said...

Happy anniversary! Praying God's blessings and 27 more love-filled years!!!

Linda said...

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute to your hubby!

(We celebrate 28 years on June 22!)

Bebe said...

Hi Nadine,
What a beautiful post! Congratulations to you and Tom on your wedding anniversary today! I hope your special day has been filled with many wonderful things! I hope when I find my Mr. Right that my marriage can be as blessed and loving as your's has been!

Hugs, Bebe :)

Brenda said...

Happy, Happy Day for you both! We've been married the same--27 years. Not too common in this day and age! But for the grace of God, wouldn't you say?!
Have a wonderful anniversary weekend.
Brenda :)

j said...

Happy Anniversary! 27 years is amazing!

Be blessed.

Jennifer

Jan said...

Happy Anniversary to you both. That was really beautiful Nadine. Thanks for that. We are going on 28 yrs. Time flies when you are living life in love.

redeemed diva said...

happy anniversary!
All that you wrote reminded of the time I worked on a TV show where Pat Avanzini was promoting her book-Keeping the Honey in the Honeymoon. She talked about the Proverb that says children are olive shoots but a wife is a vine. Children come to go and a wife is here to stay. Your post reminded me of that treasured truth.
By the way, a few weeks later when I worked on another show with her husband, John Avanzini I mentioned how I enjoyed this point in his wife's book. He looked me square in the eyes and said,"I'll tell you the abridged version of my wife's book"-Frisky wife, happy life!
And so...both are good truths! :)

Keshi said...

27 GREAT years, wow! Congratts guys!

mebeb I knew ur celebrating Love -thats why I hv a post on LOVE today :) come n take part Nadine.

Keshi.

Demara said...

Happy belated 27th Anniversary Tom and Nadine!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary (sorry a day late)!

I hope you both had a fantastic day!

Shionge said...

We could all learn from you Nadine & Tom and so many times couples getting married only concentrated on the celebration on this one day and failed to see beyond.

Wishing both of many many more good years & good health always :D

Cheers!

Ann(ie) said...

We have the same wedding anniversary and had such a lovely weekend. I am so impressed by your 27 years!!....Matt and I have 5 years in, but it's been so wondeful and I look forward to many many more. xo.

Jenna said...

YAY it was sooo good to chat with you!!!!!!! Congrats on 27 years!!! =] SO Amazing!! You and Tom are such an example to me and i cant wait to have what guys have!!! =]

Sandy said...

Hey Nadine - you're 10 yrs. ahead of us! :))
I liked this: Marriage is both parties giving 100% or more of themselves.

Well said! Sandy

Elle*Bee said...

Congrats and happy anniversary! Dear Hubby and I (married 18 yrs) are part of the marriage ministry at our church in which we work with engaged couples over the course of several month helping them - we hope - prepare for married life.

It's so true that when it comes to marriage - like our relationship with God - we get out of it what we put into it.

I could go on and on, but I won't. ;-)

Susan said...

Congratulations!!! You love for him shines loud and clear. As it should!!!
Susan

Jen(n) said...

Congratulations you two... I hope Ty and I will be just as happy on our 27th!!!

Toby Parsons said...

Happy belated anniversary!!!

What a wonderful post Nadine.

I didn't know that your husband had major health issues in the past. I will pray that he stays in remission.

Blessings! :)