Twenty five years

Janet and I celebrate twenty five years of marriage today. This is the speech I gave the prior weekend, written over the Atlantic on our way back from France.

Enjoy.

Announcement: On a day not unlike this one twenty-five years ago, in front of a group of people, I promised her, my soon-to-be wife, that I would have and hold, love and cherish, honor and respect her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickeness and health. I'm happy to say we've been through all six of those potential outcomes so now those are fully off the list :-)

While you're married your spouse and you will find little games to play with each other. One of ours is 'Do you still love me?'.

It goes like this:

Q: Do you still love me?
A: Of course I do/Yes
Q: Why do you love me?
A: Something short recent and appreciative. AKA I love you becuase you took out the trash, cleaned up the cat vomit, made dinner for me, etc. etc.

Today I will give a full account of why I love my wife.

(Warning some religious content ahead)

I love you because you have been patient and kind with me when I deserved neither.
You have been correct on so many occasions and never kept score.
You have honored me, my frieds, our household, and our children.
You have a grace about you that people always feel at ease around you.
You have kept your head when screaming would have been more appropriate.
You have lived your truth with me and protected our children while allowing them to grow.
Your love has been greater than rubies.

Your love has never failed me.

You have been the base of my pyramid and I will go the distance with and for you.

You have forged a life with me through the fires and winters of our living together.

That is why I love you Janet.