Celebrating 9 Years Of Marriage!

Can you believe it's already been 9 years since Jonny and I got married? It's been 9 years since the photos below were taken (We had to take a picture of these photos from our wedding album since there were no digital cameras in those days - unbelievable!):

Nine years sounds like a very long time; to us, it sounds very grown up! But the truth is, nine years sounds just right because it's been a very intense time since we got married. In the past nine years we have: finished our degrees, moved countries, moved homes, changed jobs, lost a son, had another son, learned (still learning!) to be parents, traveled, made friends, lost friends, prayed together, fasted together, matured, been sick, been healthy, laughed together, cried together, hurt each other, forgiven each other...yeah, we've been through a lot together.

But most importantly, as we reflect on the past 9 years, we can see that we have really loved each other. We have gone through everything as a team (even in our disputes, we have done our best to work them out together), helping and serving one another, committed to each other, committed to our vows, and above all, committed to God. The latter really is the key: it is very clear to us that we have made it through the past nine years loving each other so much because of God in our lives. As we have talked about our relationship, we can see key moments where if it were not for God working, if it were not for our faith in Him, we would probably not be together and even if we were, our marriage would not be strong. So as we celebrate our marriage today, we give all glory to God!

Thank you Lord for this gift of marriage, thank you for protecting us, guiding us, leading us, convicting us, teaching us. Because of You, we have experienced true love, the kind that "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor.13:7) (This passage was read on our wedding day, when we didn't really understand what it meant...now, nine years later, we thankfully have a much better idea.)

To celebrate our marriage, we had a great lunch today at a special Brazilian Restaurant in Baltimore and were even surprised by an "Anniversary Pudim"! Check out the photos below!

We managed to get a photo at the beginning of the meal but then got really into the food so no more photos of the amazing food...

We also enjoyed having the Brazilian drink "Guarana!"

And then coffee to keep us awake after the big meal - despite the celebration, we had to go back to work! :-)

We were pleasantly surprised by this Brazilian cream caramel (pudim) on the house!

I love you darls, now more than ever!