Good morning, love. Happy Anniversary. 

If I could go back in time ten years and tell my 14 year old self that I would be married to you - Sunil Mohinani - I'd probably laugh at my old time-traveling self. There was no possible way.

By this time ten years ago, you had become one of my closest guy friends; a highly respected (albeit very mysterious) man in my life. You intrigued me with each conversation, and I was fascinated with your heritage, your crazy sense of humor, and your honor for your family. But it was your compassion for people that drew me to you. The way you saw through walls to the very soul of a person and spoke right to them with gentleness and respect. The way you broke down hesitations instantly and gained people's trust with your sweet kindness and genuine desire for their happiness. Me included. 

While you are much less mysterious to me now (but still full of all sorts of surprises!) your heritage, humor, and honor still fascinate me - ten years later. I'm no longer terrified of the way you can read me like a book; instead I find safety in the trust that you've worked so hard to build. I'm proud and so intensely thankful for the way that you disarm and set at ease the people you come in contact with. You see stories in people's eyes and find hope in the most difficult of situations. 

Ten years is a long time to know someone, and yet it's gone in just a moment. Changes have come, some easy and some not so much. We've both had moments full of tears, joy, wonder, fulfillment, repentance, unknown, and fear, but we've always faced them hand in hand because our story isn't finished. We have decades left to live (I hope!), dreams left to dream (I'll probably let you do the dreaming - you know that freaks me out!), people still to love (they each have a story!), and at least one more day left with each other. 

I'm so thankful to be your wife. Your dream holder, your secret keeper, your reality checker, your budget holder, your home hoster, your fashion adviser, your humor understander, your chicken burner, and your cupcake. This marriage thing is pretty awesome. 

Happy 4th Anniversary, love. 

I have two lovely friends - Jerry and Janet. They've been best friends for 48 years now. 

My friendship with them began at church; I'd sit and listen to their stories and ask questions about how they met. Hand in hand, they've lived a lot of life together. 

They've had their ups and downs - just as every relationship does. When I asked them their secret to a successful, thriving, and happy marriage, they replied with one word: God. 

Only God could bring them through years of family heartache and medical complications. Their beautiful life together has not been easy... but it has been beautiful. 

I invited myself over one afternoon to document their obvious and unwavering love for one another. We sat and reminisced as they flipped through old photo books - their most treasured possessions. 

Janet smiled her delightful smile and reminded me that God can be trusted even through the most difficult of circumstances. 

That's when the lump in my throat started. 

They open their home to anyone and everyone: family, neighbors, and friends in need. And especially Jerry's little girlfriend who lives across the street, and wanders over for a cookie on occasion. :)

I'm so thankful these people are in my life. 

To remind me of grace, of God's unwavering faithfulness, and to show me what it looks like to run their race well. 

I left with a lump in my throat.