Saturday, July 02, 2011

Six Years

On a gorgeous, sunny Saturday six years ago--a day much like today--I said "I do" to the man of my dreams.

He was the boy I tattled on in second grade when he made fun of one of my friends...
...the junior high kid I had a crush on for a while (here, dressed as Prince Charming for a choir program)...
...before I briefly "dated" his best friend instead...
...the high school senior who starred opposite me in Annie Get Your Gun (at which point it required no acting skills on my part to fall in love with him onstage)...
...the guy who was giving me bunny ears at our best friend's wedding (yep, same friend from above) when I was secretly wishing he would pursue me...
...the man who made me the happiest girl on the planet when he gave me a ring in Rocky Mountain National Park and asked me to be his forever.
Six years ago, I walked down a long aisle and we made impossible vows and kissed and were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Kannel.
We walked back down that aisle hand in hand, and for the last six years I have been praising God that this man is still by my side.
Our life together hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine since then. I've learned that marriage is a mirror, and I've often disliked what I see. I've been disappointed and I have disappointed. But Steve has lived generous, uncomplaining servanthood. He has led quietly, by example. He has listened patiently and loved unconditionally. More times than I can count, he has been Jesus with skin on to me.
Lately I've been reflecting on his ability to lift my spirits just by being present. There are so many days when I'm discouraged and upset, feeling the need to share my heart with him. But often, however miserable I was feeling earlier in the day, the atmosphere changes after he walks in the door. My mood shifts. Things are more right.
Don't get me wrong, I can be plenty upset when he's around--and he's been on the receiving end of that attitude more often than I care to describe. Yet however unlovable I am, I am continually astounded (and quieted, and loved well) by the way he is so calm, so unflappable, so steady and unflinching in the face of my moodiness and sulking.
He isn't a perfect man. But he is the perfect man for me. He is Exhibit A, after the cross, when I am looking for evidence of God's kindness, generosity, and gracious care for me. His strengths complement mine so beautifully, it had to be designed that way.

Happy anniversary, Steve. Here's to six plus sixty more.

6 comments:

Stephen Gambill said...

Very, very sweet, and so fun to see into your past a bit.

May the Lord indeed grant decades of loving growth with one another.

Love you and your family!

Kelly said...

You were such a beautiful bride. It was so special to be able to be a fly on the wall as your story unfolded...and to be there on the day your dreams came true! :)

Danielle said...

Congratulations! Wow, you've known each other a long time. You should share more of your story sometime. :)

Sandra Leigh said...

Happy Anniversary!
You are a beautiful writer!

Can't wait to see you soon.

Love ya, Sandra

Zoanna said...

I just love the close-up wedding shot of you, your man adoring your face behind the flowers.

I didn't realize you've known each other since grade school. I can see how you'd like Prince Charming. That cute face and all that retro style goin' on...

Amy said...

I guess I never realized so many of you don't know our story! It's a fun one to tell - that might have to be an upcoming blog series :) Though it's more fun to tell in person, tag-team style, because getting Steve's half directly from him at all the key points is usually very funny.