Once Upon a 25th Anniversary…
On this day, 25 years ago, two kids got married.
They were sweet and they were head over heels and they were ready (or not) to embark on the next journey of life called marriage.
Immediately following the wedding, they excitedly drove away toward their honeymoon destination, Colorado Springs, Colorado. They enjoyed a stay in a hideaway cabin, while taking in the scenery and walking the fun streets of Manitou Springs.
All the while, they talked and dreamed. They imagined what their life as a married couple and family would become. They talked about their future sons and daughters (ha!), what they might look like – if they’d be tall, blond, athletic, and adorable.
They rode the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak, and as they rode, they made a decision. Right there they declared, “On our 25th anniversary, let’s come back here and do this again!” And so it was decided. They would celebrate their 25th anniversary back in Colorado Springs.
As the years went by, God made many of their dreamy dreams come true. They were in ministry together, went through hardship together, figured out more of life together and would you believe? They had four adorable children – all sons – who are most certainly tall, blond, athletic, and much more incredible than they could ever have imagined.
Somehow those children grew and grew and began to leave the nest. They became teens and adults and the couple saw God at work in them in ways that left them constantly in amazement. Through this, the couple recognized more and more their need for Christ. They learned that God is the Father of their children. Surrender became a keyword in their household. They asked God to help them learn what it meant to live fully through the Holy Spirit because they knew they couldn’t do any of this life through their own strength or without help.
Then, one day without warning, God taught them a lesson in true surrender. Who was this? A 4-year old boy on the doorstep? Would they be willing to give him a home?
They gathered the family and spent some time in prayer. Yes, they decided. They would gladly give this dear one a home.
So four boys became five, and they all marveled at this unexpected turn of events in their lives. While big boys were leaving the nest, a new boy was added. Then just a few months later, the boy’s baby cousin moved into the home too. Six boys? One of them tiny? Well now, no one, not anyone had seen this coming.
But God. He had known all along. And as the family looked back on the past year’s events, they saw how He had prepared them for this. How He was fully in this and how He would always provide.
The oldest of six graduated from college just as the youngest of six was learning to crawl. Tears of trial and tears of gladness fell frequently down the mother’s cheeks. “How did we get here?” she often wondered.
Then quite suddenly, the couple’s 25th anniversary began to approach. Laughingly, they remembered their decision, made so long ago, to go back to Colorado Springs to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The couple marveled again at the innocence of the decision they had made as newlyweds, the unknown blessings that God would provide to their family and home through all these years. The four biological sons God would give them. The Bonus Boys they would fall in love with. The life, the ministry, the lessons, the love.
So much for the 25th-anniversary trip, thought the couple. No matter though. God had them where He wanted them. They could go on that trip another time.
But their friends wouldn’t hear of it. As they listened to the story of the sweet young couple who had so long ago made dreamy, faraway plans, they stood resolutely and said, “We’re making this happen for you. You are going.”
Tears fell again over the love being poured out. And then, because God was a part of it all, the plans began to fall into place.
With the help of the couple’s fabulous, servant-hearted grown sons and the absolute determination of the kind and loving friends, the couple filled the freezer with nuggets and the refrigerator with applesauce. They made a five-page instruction list and gave thorough tutorials to their sons on how to change diapers and make bottles. The sons and the friends said, “Enough. We’ve got this. GO.”
And so they did. The couple was amazed that it was happening, but away they went. They drove and they talked and they reflected on all God has done during the past 25 years. They praised God for their willing sons and darling friends who were so precious to care for the little ones so they could have a much-needed getaway.
It really happened. They went to Colorado Springs. They hiked and they walked the shops at Manitou and they relaxed and they soaked up the sun. They went to some of their favorite honeymoon spots and realized in awe how long ago it had been, but how quickly the 25 years had passed.
They laughed at themselves because even while they were away from the kids, they found that they talked about them constantly. They prayed together and they rested and they conquered The Manitou Incline – a challenge they loved taking on together.
Meanwhile, back at home, the kids were all well. From the friends to the big boys to the little boys, all fared just fine.
The couple returned home refreshed and ready for hugs. What they had once dreamed of, then had written off as impossible, had actually become a reality thanks to the love of so many who were willing to serve.
What will the next 25 years have in store? Well, if the couple has learned anything during these first 25 years of marriage it is that only God knows the plan. They know to be open and willing to say “yes” to God’s yes. They know that He is providing for them and preparing them for all that the unknowns that are to come.
Praise God for 25 years of experiencing God’s goodness and faithfulness, together. Here’s to every new tomorrow…
Congratulations on 25 years! What a wonderful Lord we serve!
Such a blessed story. Thank you for sharing. God is truly in control of everything and everybody, all for His glory and praise!
Such a blessed story. Thank you for sharing. God is truly in control of everything and everybody, all for His glory and praise!
What a wonderful story of a God loving couple! What a blessing you two are, I got tears in my eyes as I read through such a story filled with love. God bless!
Happy anniversary.
I’m so happy that we were there 25 years ago to see you and Matt marry. One of the best memories was when you stood in the doorway of the church building, and the sun was shining behind you. You were lit up like an ANGEL, halo and all!!!
I love you for you, but I also thank God that I see so much of your mama in you!! Blessings on your “first” 25 years, with many more to come!!
Happy Anniversary and congratulations on 25 years!
Laura, I didn’t realize this happened! What a lovely article! What a gracious love-filled Lord to gift you with this dream fulfilled by your loving sons and friends. This makes me very happy and grateful. You both needed to do this for many reasons. Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary
Happy 25th anniversary! Your story got me choked up. It’s a beautiful reminder that God really is in the details.
Happy 25th anniversary celebration, Laura! What a sweet story and testimony you and your family have! ???
Love this! You are amazing!! Thank you for your testimony!!????
hi laura…….beautiful story, beautiful family. thanks for sharing this and everything else you have through your blog over the years.
HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY to you all. Thank you for sharing the story. Loved reading this.
Happy 25th anniversary! We serve an awesome God! Thanks for sharing this. Of course I had to cry. May God continue to bless your family!
Happy Anniversary!! Ours, too is in a few weeks. No bonus kids here, and two of the three bios are flown. God bless your new expanded family!
Happy 25th Anniversary Matt and Laura !!! The gift of your trip that your dear son’s gave to you brings tears to my eyes. These two little boys are so blessed by all of you. Smiles in our home for all of you. After these many years of receiving the blessings of your emails, I am so grateful for signing up for your blog posts.
You are so precious. <3 So is your family. <3
Thank you for sharing. <3
Happy 25th Anniversary!!!
I’m not crying! You’re crying!
Great story Laura – love this! How cool that God worked it all out.
Wow ! that made me cry . What a great story !
I loved reading your “Love Story “. Happy Anniversary to you both.
Bittersweet post for me. I’m so happy that you got to do this together (aren’t friends & family wonderful). My husband died 3 months ago and I’m sad that we won’t get to celebrate these milestones together. Congratulations on your 25 years.
Rebecca, I am so sorry to hear this. How painful. :( I cry with you now to think of the pain. May God bless your grieving and healing journey.
Aww! So wonderful of you to share this! You are my fave for recipes & God-filled encouragement & a LOT of other stuff. Happy Anniversary & blessings for many more!
I just came here to see how long the baked potatoes need to be in the crock pot and I got swept away in this beautiful story! Rejoicing with you! You are such an inspiration.
Happiest of anniversaries! (I guess it was!) Thanks for sharing your story, and how God gives us exactly what we need, and often even what we really want, in his perfect plan. He uses others to bless us and to show his glory! So happy for you that you got to enjoy this trip and celebrate the love he’s given you.
Happy Anniversary! I am so encouraged by your posts! We too adopted babies when our oldest 3 were teens. It has been the hardest thing, and one of the most wonderful things, that God has ever done in our lives! So I love your stories of hauling babies to graduations, weddings of our older kids, and having grandchildren who are a bit older than our children! And….homeschooling for FOREVER with no end in sight! God is good!
Happy 25th Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. You guys are a blessing to each of us.