Five years ago today I married the love of my life, having no idea what that would mean for the path I would soon travel. It’s been challenging, but full of blessing. God has given me a godly man to live life with, a wonderful husband, an amazing father to our children, and a soul mate to passionately share in God’s calling. I couldn’t be more thankful for that.

Customarily, there are specific gifts given for each year’s anniversary. The 5th anniversary’s gift is wood. Wood?? I tried researching the purpose behind this choice, but to no avail. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized how a “wooden” anniversary seems so appropriate. Our marriage is much more solid now than it was at our one year anniversary, which is “paper,” and probably not as strong as it will be at our 11 year, which is “steel.” Wood is strong enough to build upon, but is porous, absorbing the things around it and being affected by them. Wood is beautiful, but flammable if you don’t guard it. 

I’m looking forward to the next 5 years and the plans God has for our marriage and our family.