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A Thousand “I Love You’s” Wouldn’t Be Enough

by | 72 comments

A Thousand “I Love You’s” Wouldn’t Be Enough

Ten years ago today, we gazed into each other’s eyes and said, “I do”.

Marrying you, Leif, was one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. I fell in love with you for a laundry list of reasons. Your strength. Your poise. Your playfulness. I adore your slightly inappropriate sense of humor. And of course, your super cute bum-bum.

I never married you for money. We were broke. I never married you for degrees. One day you’re going to complete that bachelors. I never married you for your career. Though those flight benefits at Alaska Airlines were amazing.

I married you for you. I married you because I’d never met a man who radiated so much kindness and tenderheartedness toward others. I knew the day I said “yes” that I was saying “yes” to a lifetime of compassion, and it’s been more fulfilling than I imagined.

I’ve been given front-row tickets to watch you love people. Seeing those who others overlook. Giving generously to others anonymously. Offering to serve those who need help but don’t have the courage to ask. Just this last Sunday you slipped cash in the front seat of a stranger’s car who you suspected could use it. When I saw that, I said “I do” all over again in my heart.

But you’re more than a man of kindness. You’re a person of integrity and courage, and yet you have an uncanny ability to infuse a room with a sense of calm. Oh, and I love that you’re 6’8. Whenever I stand beside you or nestle in your arms, I feel like the safest woman in the world.

For 10 years, we’ve embarked on this life together as if it were a wild adventure filled with laughter, play, and much joy. We’ve taken every opportunity to travel, meet remarkable people, and catch glimmers of God’s handiwork everywhere. Some have criticized that we’ve done too much, pushed too hard. But you and I knew this great big gift called “life” is something that’s meant to be unwrapped, worth searching toward the bottom corners of the box, each and every day.

A Thousand “I Love You’s” Wouldn’t Be Enough

I never imagined that on this wedding anniversary we’d be forced into a different kind of adventure, a battle with cancer. Since the diagnosis you’ve held me tight. You’ve sat with me through difficult doctor’s appointments and kissed my forehead during treatment. You’ve cooked meals I’ve been unable to eat. You’ve carried me when I couldn’t walk. You’ve built beds on the bathroom floor.

You’ve cared for me on my good days and bad. And together—we know we’re going to get through this.

You’ve loved me with a love that goes beyond words.

I’d say this wild affection you’ve shown me is something I’ve never experienced before. But it’s all too familiar. Because this is the same deep love you’ve given since the day we said, “I do.” On our anniversary, I find myself more in love with you than ever.

So I guess what I really want to say is…thank you for picking me.

Today, I say, “I do” all over again. I’m filled with the divine expectation and abundant joy as we embark on our next decade together.

Immeasurable love,

Margaret

72 Comments

  1. Tracy Walker Maddy
    Tracy Walker Maddy on September 20, 2013 at 4:30 am

    Thank you, Margaret, for sharing and allowing the rest of us a glimpse at your beautiful love.
    I am praying for you and him…..

  2. Barbara Isaac
    Barbara Isaac on September 20, 2013 at 5:04 am

    I’ve been given front-row tickets to watch you love people. –
    WOW, what a testimony!

  3. Kris Wright
    Kris Wright on September 20, 2013 at 5:16 am

    Thanks into the glimpse of another facet of where you get your inspiration. Happy Anniversary and may The Lord bless you with many more…

  4. Heather
    Heather on September 20, 2013 at 5:56 am

    This is beautiful and I cried. May you have decades ahead of you together.

  5. Starr
    Starr on September 20, 2013 at 6:34 am

    Just wonderful. Touching and lovely.

  6. Lorna
    Lorna on September 20, 2013 at 7:01 am

    Happy Anniversary Margaret & Leif! Thankful for y’all.

  7. Joannie
    Joannie on September 20, 2013 at 7:31 am

    Thanks you for sharing the love! May God bless and heal you, Margaret! ♥ ♥

  8. Aryn
    Aryn on September 20, 2013 at 7:32 am

    :*) Beautiful.

  9. Sandra
    Sandra on September 20, 2013 at 8:23 am

    WOW says it all. What a beautiful gift. Happy Anniversary friend.

  10. Becky
    Becky on September 20, 2013 at 8:28 am

    So Beautiful! Jay and I cherish the brief moments we spent with you and Leif. You have an extraordinary love relationship most couples will never know! We talk about you often ( in a good way.) we are praying for you as you walk this difficult journey.

  11. Kathy
    Kathy on September 20, 2013 at 8:29 am

    You are talking about a love every woman dreams of!! The compassion, caring and concern for others, integrity, the feeling of safety with your man…. I cried like a baby reading your post!! Some of us will never know this in their marriage! Enjoy, celebrate, and have a blessed anniversary!!

  12. Janet Hattem
    Janet Hattem on September 20, 2013 at 9:09 am

    Happy, Happy Anniversary Margret and Leif!!!! May God give you many, many more even better years together!!! Your post was beautiful!!
    I am so sorry that you are sick! I didn’t know and I am so sorry that you are facing this. We will be standing with you and believing for God’s very best! God bless you!!!

  13. Mike Sares
    Mike Sares on September 20, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Beautifully written, graciously lived. Congrats on the big “one-oh.”

  14. Nancy Owen
    Nancy Owen on September 20, 2013 at 11:04 am

    Happy Anniversary! May God bless you with many more!!

  15. Mary R.
    Mary R. on September 20, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Happy Anniversary Blessings to you both!!!

  16. Gillian
    Gillian on September 20, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    I know this kind of love, but only have dipped in a toe into the life that he and I are building together. You both are so lucky to have each other, and it’s a wonderful gift to be able to give him the words of your heart. Congrats!

  17. mongupp
    mongupp on September 20, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    So very beautiful. You are so blessed!

  18. Susan
    Susan on September 20, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Building beds on the bathroom floor. AMAZING!! 🙂
    Congratulations!

  19. Pastor Magezi Geoffrey
    Pastor Magezi Geoffrey on September 20, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Thanks for the agap love

  20. Melinda Y.
    Melinda Y. on September 20, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    To love and to be loved…life’s greatest joy on earth. Keep showing us how beautifully its done. ♡
    Happy Anniversary Margaret and Leif!

  21. Valerie
    Valerie on September 21, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Blessings, blessings, blessings! May they.nourish and replenish you both each God given day. You are so loved!

  22. Cherie
    Cherie on September 22, 2013 at 4:14 am

    *tears* Love to you both.

  23. Norma Tomb
    Norma Tomb on September 22, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    Margaret and Leif, you have been on my mind more than ever the last couple of days. I believe that your marriage will be long and wonderful. You both have such wonderful strength and love for each other. Congratulations on ten years of love and romance and great accomplishments. You have only 37 to catch up with me and Bob, and of course, your parents.

  24. williams gbenga
    williams gbenga on September 24, 2013 at 5:10 am

    I just came across this and I am so touched. I am not married, but due to be in 2 months. This has inspired a text to my fiancee just now. I have been so cold to her, though I have not always been.
    May God strengthen you.

  25. Nancy Franson
    Nancy Franson on September 24, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    So thankful for that big,ole husband of yours and the way he is loving you through these hard days. Happy belated anniversary to you both–and abundant grace and peace to you in the yar ahead.

  26. Cindy Bernakevitch
    Cindy Bernakevitch on January 4, 2019 at 9:45 am

    I read your story about you and Leif. When I came to the 10th anniversary I knew what you were going to say next– cancer. On our 10th anniversary my husband and I went through the same experience. I had breast cancer.
    This experience cemented even deeper my relationships with God and my husband. After the cancer experience I wrote a book, my dream desire, and my husband was surprised by God with his dream career (I pray the same blessings for you)
    However, within the next 8 years our desire to adopt a family of children (3) was fulfilled. This became, by far, the most challenging experience to our relationship, our faith and our health (especially mine). If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t.
    Miraculously, our marriage and faith and health came out of the ashes, badly singed but alive.
    I’m still sifting through the ashes. Maybe one day the regret will dissolve into understanding as the Lord works it out for His good.

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