Seventeen Years...

....is a long time to be married???

No. Not if you're married to the right person. For me, it's just the beginning.

As most of you know, my husband is away from his family right now, serving our country. And today is our 17th wedding anniversary. It's caught me by surprise, how much it hurts to not be able to mark this day with him. Yesterday I was kind of a mess. But today...

....today I want to focus on the blessing and not the hurt. How incredibly blessed I am to have a husband to miss this much! There is nothing that can compare to being married to your very best friend in the whole world. Nothing can compare to being completely and utterly committed to one person for life...to love someone with the whole depth of your being...and to have that love and commitment returned in equal measures.

He's only been gone for three weeks, so far...but it feels like months. And the months ahead of us seem to stretch like years. But it's a small, small sacrifice to make compared to the seventeen years we have already been blessed with, and the decades we still have ahead of us.

This is only the beginning....

I still want to shout it from the rooftops, and share it with everyone I know!
I love you, Dean.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...007/Dean-3.jpg

Stay safe...and come home.

Judy you and your Husband and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. His service means I get to wake up an American every morning .. :rockon:

Tell him to Kick some ass and take names but come home to his family and friends.

Awwww dang it Jude, you've got me all teary eyed and mushy now girl!

Congrats on your anniversary and every day for marrying the right guy who was smart enough to find you. Big hugs and as always Dean, you and the kids are in our prayers.

Congrats Judy, it truly is a blessing to have a husband such as him. He sounds like a good man, and it very obvious how much you love him.

I think about you guys often, and he will be home safe soon. I know it seems like forever right now, but when he is home those past months of him being gone will disappear..

I wish him the best over there and I thank him for serving. Judy you have an excellent day to day and pamper yourself silly. :)

Congrats again.
Kristy

jeez, Mom, your going to make me cry now. You and your wording skills I like that picture of Dad. Happy 17th.

Congratulations Judy,

Your post gave me chills and warm fuzzies all over! I am blessed as well to be married to my best friend!

I pray that you and you family are all together soon and send my deepest thanks and appreciation to you hubby for serving our country :salute:

Enjoy your day and think of all the positive and beautiful things about the last 17 years! :sunny:

Awwww Judy, congratulations!! Happy 17th anniversary!!

Your post was so beautiful and how nothing compares to being married to your best friend is so true to my husband and I as well, it had me all teary eyed too!!

I continue to keep your husband as well as you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
:hug:

Awe; he looks like such a sweet man. :) Congrats on finding your soul mate.

What a wonderful blessing to have those 17 years together, and I hope that you have many, MANY more.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...y-Posters1.jpg

congrats judy! 17 years is a long time, but you're right--it's just the beginning. happy anniversary and blessings to you to both! :)