A Twenty Seven Year Love Story

Today Ray and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. Our love story began at church. I was new to the area. He was well established, with a large circle of friends. It was that group of friends who brought Ray and I together.
One sweet friend, Bonnie, was working on getting us together by telling me how wonderful the man with the white hair was, and how I should meet him.  His best friend, Norm, was encouraging him to do the same.  More friends were in the cheering squad and standing on the sidelines, watching, hoping.  He and I were both very reluctant to meet, for different reasons. However, as fate would have it, (or the angels), one Sunday we were introduced. Five days later, he started talking marriage. 7 months later, he surprised me when he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him, flying on a crowded plane to New York. By the time we landed, everyone on the plane was congratulating us. Two months later, we were married, surrounded by all the friends in the cheering section and our families. There was a round of spontaneous applause when we were pronounced man and wife. Norm officiated the ceremony. Bonnie was smiling in the audience, as if she had given birth. She had.

27 years later, a blended marriage with 5 children, 17 grandchildren, a life full of love, faith, family, friends, we continue to celebrate the moments, the hours, the years.  It is today, that I say thank you to that wonderful group of friends and to our families, to Bonnie and Norm for persevering, and to the man with whom I have shared a wonderful life. We have loved each other deeply. We have shared a deep love for our children together. Today he inspires all of us with his dignity, his spirit, his heart, his faith, facing each day against all odds, determined to stay with us one more day. And God has granted 2 reluctant people, a wonderful, fulfilling life together, and one more anniversary. Thank you, God!
"There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on a man's shoulder. " Charles Morgan