thirty years

Fantastic news. .. .


Today is our 30th anniversary. We are quite pleased with ourselves as you can well imagine.
The wedding invitation that we chose .. .still works.


We have been blessed by God . ..
to have these years to learn together,
to raise a family together,
to have fun together,
and now to grandparent together.
When we had this high school graduation picture taken in 1977 we already knew we were going to marry one another.


We were quite attracted to one another .. . .
(big sigh)

Since then we have crossed a few bridges together.


A few unexpected snags have hit us from behind . .. .


When I think of how I dreamed as a young
(19 years old by one week young)
bride of all the romance ahead,
I smile.


I've learned a thing or two about being a bride and a wife .. .


about expectations . . . and how they are not all the world makes them out to be .. .

about not having to be always right . ..

about compromise .. . .

about loving .. .

about trusing God .. ..


I've learned that though the wedding pictures are fun to look back on . ..

it is the journey we have travelled together thus far that satisfies my soul.





Through the years the joy is in the memories of learning we were expecting a child and then
watching our children when they were little ..

of watching them become men who we are proud of .

It is in watching our children love and being loved.


It is in knowing that we have no regrets and hidden secrets of unfaithfulness.

I know that when I hurt, he hurts and when he is hurt I am hurt.

We know that a relationship is more valuable than having rights.


My beloved, when you sit down to read this today .. . as I know you will,


I want to say that my love for you is deeper now

and I thank you . .


for the gift you are to me.


I chose well. . . . .
and well .. . . I have a sabbatical coming up. . .
are you busy?





Have a wonderful day my friends.
I'm off to wash the sheets and clean the house
for the sitters . . . .



Comments

  1. Happy Anniversary!!! I so enjoyed the pictures and thoughts!

    I hope you have a wonderful sabbatical!!!

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  2. Congratulations! What a beautiful post. Marriages like yours are always an encouragement to me as I am only 3 years into my own. I hope you have a wonderful sabbatical and time with your husband! --Amber

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  3. Hi Lovella,
    Congratulations on your 30th wedding anniversary. We too will celebrate 30 years in April. I agree with you wholeheartedly that even though the wedding day was all that I had anticipated it is the journey with the man I love that is the most rewarding. All the best to you!
    Love, Debbie M.

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  4. Happy Anniversary, Lovella & Terry! May you celebrate many more wonderful anniversaries together. Enjoy your 'sabbatical' and be safe.

    Doc and I will celebrate our thirtieth in May.

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  5. Ah...pearls of wisdom on your 30th "Pearl" anniversary.

    Blessing and happiness today and always as God gives you days and months and years more together.

    This is the start of your fourth decade of love!

    Jill

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  6. Happy Anniversary Lovella and Terry. Beautiful pics and thoughts you shared with us. Thank you for being a good example!
    About that sabbatical..you enjoy yourself and leave all worries behind!

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  7. Happy Anniversary!! What a beautiful post reflecting the 30 years that God has given you as husband and wife. You are creating a wonderful legacy for your children and grandchildren. Wishing you God's abundant blessings today, and in this 30th year.

    Bonnie

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  8. Oh congratulations and what a lovely post! You are both so blessed to have found your life's mate so early on. Here's to many, many more years of bliss!

    Jan

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  9. Congratulations and happy anniversary!!! We too will be celebrating our 30th this year in August. I chuckled when I saw your wedding pictures because we had the same photographer and thus we have the same poses in our pictures! The words you wrote expressing your feelings and thoughts on marriage are so well put. Amen! Have a wonderful sabbatical !! We'll look forward to hearing all about it and maybe get some ideas for ours.......

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  10. Congratulations to you both!! What a beautiful post and testimony. We have 31 years together and everything you say rings true for us as well.

    I think we must have had the same photographer - it's hilarious - I have the same dreamy picture with the ring on my finger and DH's profile in "my thoughts"!! It must have been the thing 30 or 31 years ago!

    Have a wonderful sabbatical!! And many, many more years of happiness together!

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  11. Happy Anniversary! You were a beautiful bride, Lovella - you both looked so happy and content together, and I know that that is still true when I see pictures of you together now. I hope you have a restful and happy sabbatical. See you soon!

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  12. Happy Anniversary. What incredible blessings you have shared. May God continue to shape your journey.

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  13. Happy 30th anniversary to you ...our dear friends. You are a couple who have always shown love and respect for each other. You certainly enjoy life together and today we wish you a day filled with joy. Enjoy the celebration days ahead! May God bless you with many more wonderful years.
    With our love Scot&Kathy

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  14. happy anniversary! wow...30 years??! we're nearing our 4th and i can only hope and pray that in 26 more years we will love each other as much as you and terry love one another. blessings to both of you

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  15. Happy Anniversary!!! You are an inspiration to couples around the world. Enjoy your "sabbatical". :-)

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  16. Congratulations!!! Terry and Lovella! It sure does not seem that long ago. I still remember how your love blossomed in Grade 9. I was there to witness it and had the honour of being apart in your wedding. Your love was evident then and I have witnessed your enduring love and commitment after all these years. You are truly blessed and an encouragement to me. I know you will have a great sabbatical and an over-the-top anniversary. Can't wait to hear about it.
    Hmmm.... I was there when you met.....I was there when you got married.....maybe I should be there to witness your 30th.....!

    Many blessings and unforgettable memories.

    Love Shirley and Konrad

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  17. Happy Anniversary you two love birds!! Wow, can't believe it's been 30 years. Congrats.
    Hugs,
    Heidi and Gerry

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  18. Congratulations on your 30 years! Love the tribute to your marriage and what marriage is truly all about. Blessings on your "sabbatical" !

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  19. Congratulations!1 Happy Anniversary.
    It is such an honor to read your post and I hope that this will encourage younger generations to see the value of sticking together.
    Those pictures are awesome. It feels just like yesterday...
    Have a wonderful sabbatical and we'll wait to hear about it later.

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  20. Ahhh. This brought tear to my eyes. I too was married when I was only 19 years and 1 month old. I don't regret it ever. I wish you the happiest anniversary sabbatical. Have a great time.

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  21. Congratulations! Wishing you a wonderful 30th...and sabatical!
    Thank you for the example you have been through this blog - I've thoroughly enjoyed visiting here :)
    Blessings to you both!

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  22. Congratulations on your 30th wedding anniversary! May God continue to bless both of you and your marriage with many more years to come!

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  23. Happy Anniversary! I so enjoyed all your pictures and your thoughts on "the journey" - and agree wholeheartedly! Enjoy your sabbatical! :)

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  24. Congratulations on your 30th! That deserves a big celebration...have a wonderful 'sabbatical' and we look forward to hearing all about it.

    Thanks for sharing the pic's...and your tribute to Terry and your marriage! Blessings, Judy

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  25. OH my goodness. What a beautiful post.

    I particularly like the part where you talk about hitting snags....and then show that photo. Brilliant.

    Hope your 30th is super special. Here's to another 30 years!

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  26. What?????
    No wedding write up??
    :^D
    Aren't you just the cutest?
    Happy Anniversary...and I hope you have many, many more.
    xox

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  27. Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful post!
    Enjoy your sabbatical!

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  28. Wow! That was a very encouraging post about enduring love and committment. I loved seeing your photos too!
    Congratulations on 30 years of loving each other.

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  29. lovella and terry
    happy blessed anniversarty.....what a gift that you share together, with all the times that Gods faithfulness brought you through the valleys..........enjoy your well deserved sabbatical

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  30. A blessed Anniversary to you and Terry Lovella !!
    I think every marriage like yours makes the world a better place!!

    Your post and your photos are beautiful !!

    Maybe you be blessed in the years to come !! and have a wonderful Sabbatical!!

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  31. Happy Anniversary, Lovella and your husband as well!

    How wonderful that the years have brought you even closer together and that you can still say that you are "in love" with the man you married.

    You have every right to be proud. An excellent marriage is a wonderful achievement.

    Here's to the next thirty!

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  32. Congratulations on 30 years together! Beautiful post... you looked so in love in the pictures :) Made me smile.
    Enjoy your special evening with your hubby.

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  33. Congratulations on your anniversary! What a wonderful blessing you two have been given in the gift of each other and in your life together.

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  34. 30 years ... wow! In this day and age, that just seems especially significant. What a milestone! The pictures were great ... spring chicks, both of you. Enjoy your day and the sabbatical!

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  35. Happy 30th anniversary to you both!

    Wow, time flies, doesn't it? Your wedding was the first that I was ever invited to attend (I was 7 at the time). I remember feeling quite excited to see someone get married :) I still have memories of that day, you looked so beautiful (& still do!)

    Have a wonderful sabbatical, enjoy!

    Love, Kama

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  36. Congratulations on 30 years Lovella!

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  37. I just felt that someone had to say it. . . Happy Anniversary from your family .. . .you are awesome. . the best .. . than all the rest .. .
    Love Tobee

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  38. congrats you two, the pics are so cute!

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  39. Happy (belated) anniversary!

    I know that God will continue to bless your marriage as you both continue to grow in Him and seek His will for your life together.

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  40. Happy Anniversary to you, Lovella!

    Enjoy your day with its memories of the past and plans for the future.

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  41. Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary Terry and Lovella! I love looking at those pictures and reading your post, you have such a way with words. Have a most wonderful holiday, we'll be thinking of you on our little sabbatical too!! Love, Flo

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  43. Brought tears to my eyes (again). Beautiful Lovella. You are an inspiration! Congratulations!

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  44. That is so fabulous! Congratulations. We're only coming up to 11 and I can't imagine my life any other way. It's amazing how wonderful life can be when God is involved.
    You make a beautiful couple and you have such a sweet heart. I love reading your blog.

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  45. Congratulations! Happy Anniversary. That was a beautifully done post.

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  46. Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many more blessed and wonderful years ahead! I loved the photo journey --- lovely!

    LaTeaDah

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  47. What a beautiful post! I actually teared up, and I don't even know you or your husband, but I felt my heart squeeze for you both! Congratulations and happy anniversary!

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  48. Wow -- Look at all of the well wishes!

    Congratulations on 30 years hope you enjoy your time away!

    *S

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  49. Happy anniversary...thanks for sharing yourself and your memories in pictures with us. So sweet and may God grant you many, many more!

    Have a wonderful getaway ;-)

    Kimmie
    mama to 6
    one homemade and 5 adopted

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  50. Wow. Yet another beautiful post that brought tears to my eyes. Happy Anniversary. You two are awesome. Enjoy your sabbatical. You'll be missed.

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  51. What a blessing to be able to celebrate 30 years! Congratulations! I love the pictures and special memories they evoke for the rest of us who got married when wedding dresses had sleeves and tuxedo shirts had frills! I remember thinking at the time "How could our wedding pictures ever look outdated?" (comparing them to my parents)=) We've come to learn that life brings constant changes and it's okay as long as love grows with them. You have accomplished that in a beautiful way! Wishing you
    God's blessings on another 30 years! Oh, and more! You were young!

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  52. Good heavens Lovella! 30 years! It's a lifetime! Very impressive, and you rocked that wedding dress!

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  53. what a beautiful post. 30 years. Amazing!!

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  54. Missing you and your daily posts -- Hope you're back soon!

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  55. Just stopped by to say I am missing your daily posts! I am imagining you and T in some place that is warm and sunny, sitting back and relaxing, or going to fascinating little day trips...enjoying the sun and each other. Hope you are both having a truly marvelous time.

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  56. Thank you for sharing the journey and the wonderful photos! Congrats!

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  57. Hope you're taking loads of pictures!!!!!!!

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  58. You'd better be having the time of your lives being gone this long! :D

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  59. What a wonderful testimony! And an encouragement to others out there who are just at the beginning of their journeys together. We will be celebrating 37 years this September. ONLY by the grace and mercy of God!

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  60. Happy belated 30th anniversary, Lovella and Terry! I loved the sweet photos of your happy day all those years ago, and am delighted to hear you are celebrating 30 wonderful years together! May God bless you with many more!
    --Loretta

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