It’s late, and I’m contemplating what to post that will be beneficial.  Today was a special day, but for the most part it played out like any other, except for one thing; You see, today marks the 31st anniversary of the day Tom asked me to marry him.   Like most years, Tom took me to breakfast this morning because that’s what he did on that day decades (that sounds so strange!) ago.

As we sat in a window seat at our favorite local diner the waitress (that’s what you call those who work in diners) asked what we wanted to drink – Tom ordered his usual coffee – black, as well as my usual – hot tea with cream and sugar.  I took a few pictures – something I do way too much – and then stopped so I could look at the menu.  I don’t know why…I always order the same thing – 2 eggs scrambled, sausage patties – well done and grits!  Setting the menu aside I had a chance to remember why we were in this place on this day.  Over 3 decades of sharing meals with this man, and I never tire of it.

The waitress came back – took our orders and menus and promptly disappeared.  Tom and I talked about our day and what was in store.  Then I looked at him directly and said, “I’d still say yes!”  Through all the trouble we’ve faced, heartaches, disappointments, sinful arguments, confession of sins against each other and moody, unexplainable silence, I would still say yes to the life we’ve shared.  We couldn’t be more different, but this morning I realized it’s the differences I love most about US.

It wasn’t that way when we were first married.  I spent much of my time trying to make Tom into the man I wanted him to be.  Not realizing God had made him exactly my opposite in order to conform us into His image – not one of our own making.  I can honestly thank God for not answering some of my early marriage prayers.  I had no idea what I was asking for.

About this time the waitress returned with our hot breakfast.  I smiled once again when I saw our plates side-by-side; Tom always orders eggs over easy with bacon, and home fries.  He couldn’t be more my opposite in so many ways, but this is what has made all the difference.