I Do

Thirty seven years ago today (23rd) it was a cold rainy Saturday. I was 22 years old and about to be married to my college sweetheart in the hometown church where I grew up from the "cradle roll to the college roll".

I was sick with a terrible cold and had a bad case of laryngitis. We had decided on the January date because I had just finished teaching a semester in Dallas and had landed a teaching job in the town where my future hubby was stationed in the military. I had always dreamed of a warm summer wedding but it turned out to be a rainy Saturday evening in January!

My pastor who performed the ceremony was also sick but got out of his "bed of affliction" to come marry us. I have an older sister who everyone called her by my name and would call me by her name. We got use to it after many years....even our parents did it on occasion. My pastor had performed my sister's wedding just six months earlier.

As my pastor was saying our vows to be repeated he said something like this, " Do you, Steve, take Linda for your lawfully wedded wife? (my sister's name) And my soon-to-be husband said, "No". Well,that got my poor pastor, who was half sick himself, all befuddled and he strung the next three vows or so together, no pausing! Hubby said under his breath, "I can't say ALL that"!

I had laryngitis so I could hardly say "I Do" but I guess I did! I really don't remember exactly how it all played out but I DO remember the feeling I had after we marched back up the aisle as man and wife.

I had the greatest feeling of love and belonging to someone that God had picked out for me.
Now 37 years later, I still feel the same way.......only much stronger!

Steve, Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.....I love you dearly, Judy