What happens when it’s sunny….there’s a lake with no breeze…a house that a kid grew up in….a back yard that overlooks the lake and two people who met in high school…then chased one another around off and on for the next 7 years…and then a year later, the boy told the girl he wanted to pursue her (he knew all along he had loved her…that he wanted her to be the ONE…or that, well, just that she WAS the ONE and now he was able to present this to her)…he figured his friendship with the beautiful girl could have ended on that night….but after she heard him put all his guts and feelings on the table – she paused: and smiled! Then, he knew it was on! So, what next?
Well, 3 days of praying about it..then the pressure caved in and they kissed. Then – six weeks later he asked her to be his wife (officially this time…with a ring and everything!). Then – 7 months later, they were outside on a beautiful day. A very hot day. A muggy day. The, supposed, hottest day of the year. In tuxedos, formal dresses; the whole works! The music played….the friends and family gathered – wishing for a breeze but all the while whispering about the photos being so great. And then, it happened: Great is thy faithfulness. My friend sang the song. The girl: well, she began her entry to the wedding affair: she entered from the top of a magnificent deck….wrapped in flowers, greenery, and all the likes of God’s glory as she turned the corner in her dad’s arm and descended from the balcony to the back yard…..the crowd awaited. My knees were shaking. I watched my friend Tim, with my peripheral, look at her….look at me…and back-and-forth; he wanted to see my reaction to seeing the most beautiful girl…the one whom I saw walking down the aisle of the auditorium at Bearden High School in 1993 – it was the first time I saw Olivia Heitzman. She was the bomb. On this day – our wedding day – she was radiant….she was perfect…she was on her way down the stairs…to be mine…and I to become hers….that we would be ONE on this day.
Then, Tom, our friend who is a wonderful minister – he officiated our wedding; he began talking as Olivia walked up…her dad passed her hand to me. We smiled, we were giddy, and we were shaking and nervous as we could be. I sweated like nobody’s business….my dad was melting away in the distance as he was my best man and wringing wet with sweat – did I mention it was a hot day? Tom talked us through our vows…he told of Jesus….of an empty tomb – life in Christ…that He is the Light of God – and we can have a relationship with Him – that Olivia and Andy have this….and they are “here today” to honor Christ….that was our hope..to bring Glory to Jesus….to live our lives..our marriage – following Christ. We exchanged rings; we turned….were announced as Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ogle – and, again, it was on! Party time. Really.
Bliss? no. Perfect? no. With love? all the way. With struggle? yes. With Jesus Christ? could not have made it apart from His love and piercing of our hearts! In love and growing all the more because of Him and because of my beautiful and loving and wonderful bride? everyday. Forever. yes.
Olivia, I love you with everything in me – forever and ever. You are my bride. Today. Yesterday. And always. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saying YES. I love you. Happy Anniversary, honey. Here’s to seven years.
The peace of Christ – always may He rule in our hearts….our lives..and our home.
-ao
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