4 Years Ago!

On Wednesday, Tal and I will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary! Thankfully, our relationship is strong, and we're happier than ever.

At our wedding, Tal and I read aloud love letters that we had written for each other. Below is Tal's love letter to me:

Dear Rachel,

Why do I want to marry you? There is no one else that I would rather spend the rest of my life with.

I did not start out wanting to get married, and I had no idea of knowing I would want to BUT I cannot help but remember a year ago the thoughts that ran through my mind when I would go to church or a small group function. At that point in time, you and I had come a long way in getting to know one another, although we had a ways to go. I still consider the first blessing the times we were able to talk and learn about each other during our "40 Days of Purpose" campaign.

The things I learned about you during those times were the seed that was planted in my heart. That seed would grow into the desire to know you know. You were, are, and will continue to be a woman of strong faith, a woman of great principle, and my favorite--a woman who is simply unbelievable to know and be around.

As I have told you on many occasions, I don't know why it took me so long to call you. As I prayed and sought guidance from the people I love the most, I felt the calming power of the Spirit tell my heart, if I asked and you said yes, we would be destined for something special. I did not know at that time that we would end up where we stand tonight. I only knew that we would be two people who had a common heart, enjoying the company of the other, and when it boils down to basics, we would have fun sharing whatever life throws our way.

Your smile has come to be the one thing that I would not want to go through any of my days and not have the blessing to see and feel. When I hold your hand and pray with you, maybe agreeing with you on a need or simply giving thanks, the sound of your voice and the smile on your face when you say thank you is the most powerful expression. It amazes me to know that sometimes, I am (in part), why your smile is there or why it is so big and beautiful.

I hope that I am continually able to show you that I love you and that I have no desire to see my life without your blessed presence in it. I also hope to grow as I saw my dad grow in all the years he and my mom were married. I miss my dad dearly but what I do know is this--the man who taught me how to live, how to laugh and most importantly, how to love, would be fortunate to know you, just as I am. Plus, he would get a real kick out of his daughter-in-law.

On 24 February 2006, the Lord had begun a work in my heart. He has taken me to a place and has given my heart the desires of a true man (which I saw in my dad). The first is the call to be a godly husband, leader of my household, my home, my family. The second is to someday have my son meet a woman just like you and have the desire to be her and for her, what I desire to be for and to YOU.

Simply stated, why I want to marry you, there is no one else that I would rather have as my partner and face the rest of my life with, and someday have as the mother of my son or daughter than you, Rachel Elaine.

Thank you LORD for you, and thank you Rachel, for saying yes.

HTA III