Day Eighteen Hundred and Twenty-Five

The Fifth Year of Conley

Yesterday, Adam and I celebrated five years of marriage! FIVE! I'm in shock at how quickly it's gone, as both of us echo the same sentiment when we say "we still feel like newlyweds." Adam has been such a presence of grace and truth in my life. He treats me with respect and leads me compassionately. He's constantly finding new ways to make me laugh and even ways to make me blush. We're still like two kids in a candy store and I truly treasure marriage in ways I never thought possible. 

Days like our anniversary make me nostalgic, as memories well up inside me of years gone by. Adam and I met in college and - long story short - were engaged 9 months after we began dating...which was about a week after Adam confessed Jesus as Lord, giving his life over to Christ. We were young, immature, wreckless Christians, and madly in love. What we didn't realize then - or even when we got married - was just how hard marriage would be with two sinners deciding to share their lives together. It's hard. Really hard. But we've absolutely flourished in this covenantal relationship and let me tell you, it's not been because of a lack of fighting or disagreements, but instead because we've both been made completely aware of what our marriage was intended for in the first place. I'm not married to Adam because he makes me happy. Although, he absolutely does that. I'm married to Adam because he makes me holy. His intimate look into my life - unlike any other human on the planet - helps me to see, understand, and repent of my sin, which draws me both closer to him, but more importantly, closer to Christ. As the years have gone by, we look back and can say in truth, "I don't recognize the person I was," because we're continually helping each other pursue the image and likeness of Christ. We "have it good" only because we've been redeemed by the One who works all things for the good of those who love Him. 

I am on my knees grateful for the man God brought into my life. But even more for the man Adam has become. He's almost unrecognizable from the guy I met on April 18, 2010, which can only be attributed to the great work Christ has done in reshaping Adam's heart. It brings me so much joy knowing that I'll be celebrating anniversaries like these for years to come, with an honest man like Adam by my side. I wrote earlier today, "My hope - in the very distant future, to be sure - is that one day, Amelia would look at me and say, 'Mama, I'm going to marry someone who cherishes me just as much as Daddy cherishes you."  

I love you with all my heart, Adam. You are my greatest blessing. Happy five years, My Love.