Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Seventeen years

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Seventeen years of marriage. That seems oddly significant. Really, every year of marriage is significant because this world doesn’t value faithfulness and ordinary. But I sure do. Especially from my husband who works hard to take care of us and so many other people.

I was naive when we got married, have had to walk through some hard seasons, and am thankful for where I am. I didn’t expect most of this life to look like it does, but God has a way of surprising us with we didn’t know we needed.

Many years ago Greg told me to stop saying I didn’t like Asian food if I actually hadn’t tried it. (Turns out it’s a favorite!) He’s eaten many meals when I was figuring out how to cook and we’ve certainly landed on regular favorites. He’s shown me the beauty of country living and taught me more than I’ve ever cared to know about turkeys and deer.

We’ve been on trips around the country and even the world. We’ve been scared and surprised. We’ve laughed and cried. We’ve grieved and dreamed. He’s always ready to jump into a new adventure! And he quickly got on board with my desire to have a big porch and a pool.

We both grew up in houses where our friends gathered. And now that’s we want to happen here. We want to host gatherings, raise our kids to keep their eyes open, and build community starting with two ordinary people who have been a team for 17 years and pointing to Jesus.

I’m thankful Greg continues to choose me, walk by my side, and teach me about myself. I don’t even want to imagine my life without him.

Happy anniversary, husband.

*****

Read other anniversary posts: Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years. Fifteen years. Sixteen years.

Sixteen years together

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Sixteen years ago I walked down an aisle, said “I do,” and entered this married life that’s been nothing like I expected but better than I could have imagined.

Before you think I’m romanticizing it all, married life hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve walked through hard seasons together.

Together.

That’s the point.

Sometimes I look at the world around me and get frustrated with how family has taken a back seat to prosperity and new age mottos of chasing dreams and being all you can be. But then I look at my husband and am thankful God planted us on the same page with how we want to be a family. Being parents has made us better for and to each other.

I’m also thankful that for the second consecutive year he’s gotten my minivan professionally detailed as my gift. Last weekend we went out on a date – dinner at a favorite restaurant, mini golf, and some arcade games – because we’re spending our actual anniversary in St. Louis with our kids and our best friends. Nothing says happy anniversary like a hotel room and three kids. But, really, there aren’t many other places I’d rather be.

In 16 years, I’ve yelled and cried and wondered what is next. But I’ve also had a steadfast partner who encourages me to pursue God, family, and community. I’ve been far from the perfect wife, but God has used married life to sanctify me day by day and year by year. And it’s been a (mostly) fun journey.

So here we are, 16 years as Mr. and Mrs. Taylor — the greatest adventure, especially with three kids by our side. I say “I do” over and over again as I wash another load of laundry, pick up more groceries, (slowly) get on board with all his entrepreneurial ideas, plan another trip, and (eventually) embrace the unexpected adventures.

*****

Read other anniversary posts: Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years. Fifteen years.

I also joining Five Minute Friday with this post because today’s prompt {ANNIVERSARY} was perfectly timed.

Celebrating 15 years, practically.

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This seems like a big anniversary. Tomorrow Greg and I officially celebrate 15 years of marriage.

I’m grateful for where we are as I keep hearing about marriages not making it. I’m relieved I’ve managed to grow up since the hot day I said, “I do.” I’m certain God gave us this life together for reasons I know without a doubt and those I don’t even know yet.

Fifteen years reminds me we are rooted and committed. We have rhythms and inside jokes. We don’t have to talk about everything because we know how each other think yet we want to talk because we’re in this together.

We have a babysitter tomorrow night so we can go to out to a local Japanese restaurant and then buy a new mattress. We may even go to Lowe’s to pick out tile and countertops for a partial kitchen remodel. Oh, and Greg scheduled a professional to clean out my minivan – and I’m giddy about it!

Perhaps that practicality mixed in the date is what fifteen years is about.

We’ve got to do what we need to do,
and doing it together is my favorite way.

{Tweet that.}

You see, Greg has seen the worst of me but believes in the best of me. He’s helped me become a better version of myself because he’s in tune to what God wants for us. That’s what fifteen years of marriage has done and what the years to come will do.

*****

Read other anniversary posts :: Five years. Six years. Seven years. Nine years. Ten years. Eleven years. Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years.

Earlier this week, I shared about one of my favorite fiction reads of the year, if you’re looking for your next book.

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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