Todd's Anniversary Gift

Now, I know what your probably thinking. A microwave for an anniversary present, really? No, it's not romantic, I'll give you that, but it was given out of true love.

See, I'm one of those strange people that doesn't really use a microwave. We received one many years ago as a wedding gift. I used it occasionally,usually either to defrost meat if I forgot to take it out in the morning or to make popcorn, but that was about it. Todd used it fairly frequently for different things. When it died about five years ago, we didn't replace it. I really didn't want to. I don't like them. I honestly didn't miss it. They take up a lot of room and I'm just not totally convinced they are good for us. Save the scientific proof, I've heard it all before, but I'm just not certain I believe it. At that time, Todd was OK with giving life without a microwave a try.

Anyway, here lately, Todd has been lamenting our missing microwave. He couldn't re-heat his coffee, he couldn't warm up his occasional donut and he had to use the kettle to make tea and it took so much longer. He is not a complainer, so when he mentions things like that, I know it's on his mind. And I try to pay attention.

As our anniversary got closer, I started wracking my brain for something meaningful to give him. I thought about journaling some things about our past 16 years, making something to sybolize our time together, etc. I just couldn't come up with just the right thing. So, I went out shopping. Grant came with me. As we were walking up and down all of the aisles, searching aimlessly, we came to the microwave aisle. Hmmmm. Grant and I started talking it through. Grant was VERY MUCH in favor of the idea. His favor of the idea was mostly, I think, out of pure desperation to get out of Target, but it was the perfect idea.

While to most people a microwave hardly screams, "I love you" I knew Todd would get it. He did.

I guess that pretty much sums up the last 16 years. We get each other, even when no-one else does and even when we don't make sense, we get each other. And I realize more and more with each passing day, what a true gift that is.

15 years

It's quiet in my house at the moment. Gabe is sleeping. Grant and Todd are at Cub Scout Camp.

Before they left, we went to Joe's Italian for a celebratory anniversary lunch. So, now that I have a minute, I'm letting my food settle and thinking about the last 15 years. In the card Todd gave me this morning he had written, "It seems like just yesterday and forever ago at the same time." So true. It's been filled with so much....

One big move from our home states of Michigan and Massachusetts. Beginning our lives together miles away from family and friends-- in Alabama of all places. That time helped us grow strong roots as a couple. It was a little scary, but exciting.

Our first home- a one bedroom apartment. I still remember decorating it and being so proud. It was tiny, but it was all we needed.

Many, many trips to the laundromat since our apartment did not have a washer/dryer hook-up.

Thousands of laughs- literally.

Two church families- ISFBC and TCASC. One church was instrumental in showing us how to put all of our knowledge into action. David was our first pastor. He is a man who looks for the truth and then lives it out to the best of his ability. God brought him into our lives and we still talk about some of the things we learned from him that helped us so much. The other church family has allowed us to put our faith into action. Both places brought us friendships that made our lives better. Community. A way to live out our God given purposes.

A mission trip to the Ukraine. We left part of our hearts there.

At least 700 trips to the grocery store.

Several jobs and career changes. Teaching became a great love for me. Todd started out in graphic design and moved to Internet software development. I left teaching and became a stay at home mom. Staying at home was a decision we came to after many long talks. I was reluctant to give up a career I loved so much, but we both knew it was what was best for our family. It has been the best career move I've ever made.

God's provision- we have seen Him open and close doors. Sometimes we understood, sometimes we didn't. But, He has always been present.

Five cars- a very old Cutlass, a Mazda truck, a brand new Saturn, a Mazda Miata and my beloved Honda accord.

The purchase of our house.

The purchase of our first washer and dryer that eliminated the aforementioned trips to the laundromat.

Two dogs- Dakota and Gordon and one stray cat, Amos, that lived with us for a few months.

We became parents to a sweet, smart, sensitive, funny miracle boy after five years of marriage. Grant added more joy than we knew possible. He still does.

Some heartaches. Seven years of infertility, two miscarriages, a year long battle for me of figuring out what trusting God really meant and other things along the way. We talked those things out. We cried lots of tears. We asked God a lot of questions. Through those difficult moments our love grew.

Lots of moments spent trying to figure each other out. Listening, scratching our heads, laughing, compromising, yielding.

A second miracle baby. We had come to the place of true acceptance of our family of three. It took me a while, but I was there. We were content and grateful for what we had. Then God gave us Gabriel. A brother for Grant. What a gift!

Thousands of conversations over at least that many cups of coffee.

Some disagreements.

Beach trips with friends.

The marriages of all of our siblings.

The births of six nieces and five nephews.

The loss of four grandparents.

So many great friends.

So many moments that seemed ordinary at the time, but when we look back on them we see beautiful memories.

I love you, Todd. Happy Anniversary!