Chapter 13, page 1

When I was 19 years old I was given the best gift of my life. The gift of marriage to my Shad. I was 15 when I met him but never thought I would be 32 years old and spending my time growing a life and family with him! Obviously we have changed A LOT, physically and emotionally since we were married. And with all the changes life has just gotten better and better. It has not been easy, mind you, but so much better! God has done so much work in both of us as individuals and as a couple. I give every bit of our marriage success to God. If He was not the center of our lives and marriage, I have no idea where we would be right now. And I know that we haven't always done things the way He would want us to, but it is because of His mercy and grace that we are in the place that we are in. It's been a wonderful and sometimes trying 13 years but I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you God for Shad. And thank you Shad for loving me even when it is not so easy, for being my partner in everything, for being supportive, for helping me stay sane, for thinking I'm beautiful, for being a great father, for your integrity and hard work, for enjoying spending time with the kids and I, for being an equal partner in parenting, for being a man for our kids to look up to, for teaching our kids to pray, for loving God, for allowing God to do work in your life, and for wanting to spend the rest of your life with me. I love you and look forward to what God has in store for our lives in the future! Happy Anniversary!!