I don't really write many blog posts anymore. It takes a significant event to pull me away from other duties to write a blog. And the anniversary of being married to Cassidy is certainly one of those events.

Cassidy and I met each other three separate times before we started dating. Once in 2003 at a Campus Crusade for Christ barbecue event for freshmen at Arizona State University. Then again in 2004 in a Spanish class (also at ASU). And then again at Grace Bible Church in 2008. Then I got her email address, bought her a smoothie, and now she's the mother of my children. Life comes at you fast.

We got married on January 15, 2011. 15 years ago now. And those years have been full. Full of joy and adventure. Full of trials of various kinds. Full of kids. Full of some spectacular days, and of course, lots of mundane ones too. And looking back, I told Cassidy, "If I had to do it all over again, I would." It hasn't always been easy, but it has always been good.

I don't write Cassidy a poem on every anniversary, or even every year, but we were without internet for a whole month (mid-December to mid-January), so I had some time to put my love and thankfulness for Cassidy into meter and rhyme. She said I could share it with you all here.

Again

Fifteen years now we’ve walked and together have talked

Plodding along the way

Though it oft hasn’t seemed the way that we dreamed

With confidence I can say:

Remember, my doe, those days long ago

When we were both young and in love?

Not sure of a thing the future might bring

But sure of our King up above.

I remember asking of you to say that “I do.”

And to my delight, you said yes.

And the years since I heard you speak that sweet word

Have certainly been my most blessed.

And if somehow I went back in time to then,

Without even a doubt I’d ask you again.

With fondness and bliss I remember that kiss

On the day that we were wed

Our vows we did make, and yes, there was cake

And many kind words friends said.

But to kiss you each day as we jump in the fray

Of life here to serve our King

Has made my life sweet though at times we do meet

Necessary trials and suffering.

And if the Lord tarries and delayed is our end

Then I’ll kiss you and kiss you and kiss you again.

These past fifteen years, have brought us some tears

In seasons of joy and sorrow

But the Lord has been good and done what he should

And will do so again tomorrow.

We’ve endured sun, great rains, crossed seas, great plains,

Lived on mountains steep and high,

We’ve seen sunsets, sunrises, and many surprises

And weathered wet season and dry.

We’ve slept with roach and with mouse, lost children and house,

Left family and saints behind

But the Lord, through the cross, has said that each loss

Will surely be repaid in kind.

So if someday we should gain yet still greater pain

And the costs should once again rise

If there be no olive on tree or fish in the sea,

And our hopes go out with the tide,

And no horse in the stall or sheep in the pen.

I’ll hold you and say, let’s trust him again.

And oh the vast pleasure, the undeserved treasure

The Almighty has already bestowed

His Son took our place, and given us grace

Removing the debt that we owed

He gives us his best and infinite rest

And gives us our daily bread

In our home, His true Word is both read and it’s heard

And by it we all are fed.

Though often alone, together we’ve grown

To love and spur each other on.

And what a joy it has been, to have such a friend

Over all these days now gone.

So as we keep living for the ruler of men,

Let’s trust him, my love, let’s do it again.

And if our end should be hurried and one of us buried,

And we be parted by death.

Though painful the grief, the parting is brief,

For life is here but a breath.

And once again we will sing of our glorious king

Side by side, perhaps, I hope.

Not married, but friendly, in a life never-ending

With a future eternal in scope.

When we’ve basked in the Son for a century times ten,

Then we’ll get to enjoy him once more and again.