April 11th was day 11 and Jimmy "forgot" his computer at home so he came home from work around lunch time and surprised me with a beautiful journey necklace. This necklace is a popular anniversary present given to represent our journey through life as a married couple. The stones start off small and get larger at the end and are in the shape of an S or perhaps a wavey path. Anyhow I was sitting on the floor playing with Emily and he had me close my eyes then he slipped it around my neck. I was very touched and was surprised he'd spend so much on a necklace. Not that he doesn't love me but we're similar people and typically we don't spend so much on things but perhaps choose to buy something to fix up the house, that kind of thing. Of course I love the necklace so I'm happy. Heehee.... Ok so that was Day 11. He also told me ahead of time that my mom and dad were planning a surprise party for me and since the weather was icky we'd have it at the church. He knows I get nervous when I'm the center of attention. I'm happy to go to parties for people I've just never liked to be the focus of all the fuss. So he told me so I could mentally prepare myself and he figured I'd probably catch on because I'm a sharp cookies. He was right about that, seemed like everyone was calling me Saturday morning for one reason or another and then when I was on my way up I called my mom to let her know I was coming, she didn't answer her phones so I called my dad. My dad did answer and when asked where he was he told me Captain Nemos and that perhaps mom could be taking a bath. Well I knew he wouldn't be at Nemo's 10 minutes before we were suppose to be at my mom's for dinner and I highly doubt my mom would have taken a bath at 3:00 in that afternoon with company on the way. So anyhow, I probably would have figured out the surprise party from that and if not then for sure when I saw all the cars in the church parking lot.
So Day 12:
We get to the church Saturday April 12th a little after 3:00 in the afternoon. A van had pulled in right after us and since I knew at that point it was a surprise party I figured it was someone running late so we tried to take our time getting out of the car to let them slip in if they wanted too. It was Amy and she must have noticed us in the car so she tried to stay hidden and allow us to enter first although I could see her peaking her head around the van..HA. So we get in the church and to my surprise nobody jumps out yelling surprise... hmm.. where is everyone?!?! Then I noticed people are in the sanctuary sitting in the first few pews... a meeting perhaps? Hmm.. I noticed music and my Uncle standing at the front on stage...odd. Then Jimmy is pulling me out of my coat telling me that there is no surprise party, he wants to show me how much I mean to him and how much he loves me by renewing our vows in front of family and friends. At this point I slip comfortably into shock. He walks me up to the door where my cousin takes over Emily then he walks me down until we're in front of my Uncle. I notice Kaylee and Nathan standing in front, one on either side. So my Uncle tells me that the papers weren't filled correctly and we haven't been married all this time (he's joking). Then he said in all seriousness a lot of couples go through a seven year itch and Jimmy talked to him weeks ago about wanting to renew our vows now that we've been together for eight years. So I found out later that Jimmy spent lots of time researching vows and the meaning behind them. How sweet is that? Anyhow so Jimmy wrote his own vows and he begins to read them to me and then chokes up after the first line or two and at this point I'm hanging onto my emotions by a thread. I can feel that if I let them go it won't be a tear or two down my cheek, it'll be the loud sobbing, unstoppable crying. I managed to just barely hang on with just a tear or two escaping, I couldn't look Jimmy in the eyes or I would of lost it, I couldn't look at the kids or it would have been over and I certainly couldn't look at all my family and friends tearing up or I would have been done. I heard every word he said but snuck the paper from him later so I could reread and refocus on what he had wrote. Jimmy is not one to tear up and certainly not in front of people. I can count on one hand, on half a hand how many times I've even seen him tear up let alone cry and so I knew as I stood in front of him while he tried to get the words out that he meant everything he put on that paper and it came straight from his heart and I will cherish those words and the feeling they gave me forever. Here's what he wrote:
The past
Though there were other women in this world, God wanted someone right for me. When I was baptized into his kingdom, I asked God to find me someone that can share my walk with the Lord. Hearing a faint voice telling me that I should be with you
As a check box on a list, I found marriage was complete
Years of kids always getting sick, financial hardship and even a loss of hope
You were still there to encourage and comfort me
You had always been faithful, honest and always there to pick me up
My eyes have opened at the end of seven years
Three children, one beautiful wife
A family to love and care for
The sweet caring heart of my daughter Kaylee
The compassion for justice with my son Nathan
The beauty and smiling eyes with my daughter Emily
Through your actions, I have seen what I must do
I promise to be faithful, honest and to pick you up when you are down
I will not allow the small things get in the way of our life
At the end of our 7th year, I see why he picked you.
You helped me find myself and for that I am blessed
With my family at my side and God as my guide
I will love & cherish you till death do us part
Jodi, will you continue your life me?
Of course I said yes!! And Nathan was holding a new ring for me to seal our new vows and I slipped further into shock when I saw it. I did have one moment where I thought to myself "shoot I hope I'm not expected to come up with some vows off the top of my head because I'm not even sure what my name is at this point". I wasn't, whew... my Uncle had me read basically the last line that Jimmy had read to me.
This ring symbolizes our past present and future...
Jimmy, will you continue your life with me?
Psst... he said yes too. Kaylee was holding a new ring for him. Then we watched a video that my Uncle had put together for us and that gave me a little time to start finding my way into reality. After the video I got a kiss and we headed back out followed by our family and friends. My family had set up a room for everyone to go in and have cake and ice cream and it was nice to go around and hug everyone and thank them for coming. My parents got us a pretty cake and it was very yummy, it was similar to the actual wedding cake we had. So I had no idea, I was surprised beyond any surprise I've ever had and I feel more loved then I can even express. Jimmy is the master of surprise. Everyone invited thought they were coming to a birthday party until they arrived so nobody could slip. Only our parents and my Uncle new the truth. So everyone had a surprise. HA! Jimmy had my dad bring out the white picket fence we had used in our Wedding. Jimmy had his mom pick up a bunch of daffodils because they are my favorite flower, one of the first to bloom in spring, fresh and pretty and usually they show up around my birthday. So there were potted Daffodils around the church that I get to keep and plant and enjoy each year. As a side note, even though it is my birthday, it is also our anniversary, we got married April 15th. So whew, I think I got everything in. These past 12 days have been the best in my life, my husband loves me 100 percent and is a million percent committed to me and I to him. I've got a smile on my face that won't fade for a long time. I have a video clip and a couple of pictures and then it's time to end this story of a post:
Jimmy reading the vows he wrote while I hang on by a thread:
Pictures:
I'm surprised but it was a very nice surprise:
New vows and new rings:
Walking back with me a mess:
My brother and his Rachel:
My family and friends:
My beautiful new 3stone ring that cost an arm and half a leg:
2 comments:
Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!
WOW, so amazing! You are truly blessed!!!!!!!
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