Thirty Years Strong: Anniversary Stories

This month marks thirty years—count ‘em, THIRTY YEARS—that John and I have been married.  Who woulda thunk it? Last week, I regaled you with stories of our wedding and honeymoon. This year, I’ll share an anniversary story or two! I hope you enjoy them as much as I love telling them.

Wedding bells rang for us on May 25, 1996. ALMOST six months after the wedding (November 12, 1996), I emailed John to tell him I had a little surprise to give him for our six-month anniversary (World’s Finest Chocolate candy bar WITH almonds. He loves them!).

John told his co-worker, “Ellen has a present for me. Today is our six-month anniversary!” 

“I thought y’all got married at the end of the month—like around Memorial Day?” 

“You’re right! We got married on the 25th of May…” 

Back at my job, I’m in ignorant bliss. I can’t wait to get home and give my new hubby his present. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. That’s why I had to e-mail him. I wanted him to know I thought about him on our first milestone. I mean, six months, what an accomplishment!

At 5:30 that afternoon, I walked through the door of our home, candy bar hidden behind my back. I was grinning from ear to ear. Then I saw John’s face. In that instant, I realized what I had done. I messed up BIG TIME! I got the day confused with my ex-anniversary date (12^th versus 25^th)! OH NO! Was my face red! But he forgave me and ate his candy bar anyway.

On our first anniversary, I received a beautiful bouquet at work. I opened the card, anticipating a sentimental message from my sweet man. The card read “Thank you for the best 12 years of my life! Love, John” 

12 YEARS?!?! How about 12 MONTHS!!!

Oops! The florist messed up the message…or was it payback for the six-month anniversary fiasco on the 12^th of November?!?

With that not-so-stellar beginning to our marriage, some people may have thought we would never make it thirty years. Praise God, we did!

Overall, it’s been a wonderful and fun three decades. Yes, we’ve had some bumps in the road, but we didn’t let them drag us down. The most important thing we have done for our marriage is to place Jesus Christ at the center. Has this been easy? Are we perfect at this? No, but with God’s grace, we persevere. 

 I was thinking about our years together last week. I wept with joy, so thankful for the man God brought into my life to be my forever husband. Scripture tells us to remember the things God has done for us. I am remembering today that He placed a wonderful man in my life, to be my husband, to have and to hold until death do us part.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm  126:3 NIV

Happy 30 years, John Chauvin!