I Will Be Here
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Today, I am grateful for 15 years of marriage to my loving, faithful, funny, gentle, servant-hearted, supportive husband -- Rich. It's our anniversary, and I've been reflecting on how I have been gifted with a true companion in my life. We got married in West Chicago, Illinois in a little one-room church that did not have air conditioning, and of course our wedding day happened to be the hottest day of the summer--90 degrees (+)--blazing hot. We actually put a fan under the altar so that it could blow some windy relief on us as we stood before friends and family to say our vows. (I remember being relieved that I had chosen a 100% silk gown to wear, because more than any other material, silk breathes!)
But dress details aside, one of the best parts of the ceremony to me was when my dear friend Sally sang "I Will Be Here." It's uncanny how 15 years later, the song's lyrics are more true for us than ever. Rich has been a consistent example to me of Christ's ever present, unconditional love. Through a season of depression, financial challenges, parenting three wonderful children, and many many special, irreplaceable moments, Rich has been there for me. I love you, honey! Happy Anniversary!
I Will Be Here
(Steven Curtis Chapman)
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.
But dress details aside, one of the best parts of the ceremony to me was when my dear friend Sally sang "I Will Be Here." It's uncanny how 15 years later, the song's lyrics are more true for us than ever. Rich has been a consistent example to me of Christ's ever present, unconditional love. Through a season of depression, financial challenges, parenting three wonderful children, and many many special, irreplaceable moments, Rich has been there for me. I love you, honey! Happy Anniversary!
I Will Be Here
(Steven Curtis Chapman)
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.
