My Ruby Jewel

Twenty-seven years ago today I wed my bride on a gorgeous, uncharacteristically sunny June-day in Seattle. Victoria's grandmother (now deceased) said on numerous occasions that we were a match made in heaven. Although a common phrase, little did she probably know that it was literally a match made in heaven. Our wedding day was also a masterpiece made in heaven. From the stunning Pacific Northwest evergreens accented against the bluest skies you've ever seen, to the graceful ceremony lit by ornamentation and love, there's no doubt in my mind that it was both divinely appointed and orchestrated.

On the eve of Austin and Meagan's recent wedding, my Dad ushered a toast to them (the first among several) that was testimony to love's stamina and growth over years of commitment. My parents, now married well over 50 years, gave rise to my Dad's remarks that love gets sweeter, deeper and better with age. I often heard these kinds of statements when I was younger and would silently ask myself in the back of my mind, "How can that be?" The failure of so many marriages in our culture would naturally cause me, and many of us I suppose, to ponder with some skepticism these types of blanket proclamations. But now being married for about half as much time as my parents, I can understand the truth behind what he said. It's one of those things that just must be experienced in order to validate the axiom. So here I am, probably with more days behind me than ahead of me (but hopefully with more married days ahead of me than behind me), also giving testimony to love's longstanding mystery. Today, 27 years since I held her hand and placed that ring upon her finger, I find myself more anxious to get home to see her than before, more desirous to speak to her than anyone else before, more sorrowful when I cannot spend the night with her than before, and more excited about our future together than before. So how can that be? Because love is not at all what I grew up thinking it was, and so very far removed from what our culture teaches me it is. Love does, and does loves. It's an unbreakable cycle that becomes even more difficult to penetrate with time. If the circle becomes oblique, then it begins to lose the strength of its bond. Our circle keeps getting larger and larger, but only because of one thing, and that's because we have an example becoming reality that penetrates every fiber of our being.

On one of our recent milestone anniversaries (pre-Willow) I gave Victoria a poem that coincided with a ruby ring I also gave to her. When we got married I wanted her wedding ring to be with a ruby stone instead of the traditional diamond. We went the diamond route, but now she has both on her ring finger. This poetic gesture (I don't think I've posted it before) helped me articulate the continuing passion of my heart and how I look up to her:

My Ruby Jewel

My sweetness, my love,
There's little left in words,
That isn't already known.
I'm utterly speechless,
Without words to express my own.

My worst, my best,
You've seen me through both,
And loved me despite.
I've brought sadness and joy,
From wrong and from what's right.

Through it all you’ve stayed true.
You’ve remained the same and never failed.
You are my rock and ruby jewel.
You are a reflection of my Savior;
I pray to be more like you.

Your laughter, your sorrow,
Each from my strengths,
And turning away.
I've led and shirked back,
Sometimes causing us both to fall astray.

Jobs, houses, cars and things,
I've managed to let them distract me so.
They grab hold of the best;
At times I've chosen good things,
Over what only gives eternal rest.

Through it all you’ve stayed true.
You’ve remained the same and never failed.
You are my rock and ruby jewel.
You are a reflection of my Savior;
I pray to be more like you.

Austin, Annie, Barret and Poppy,
They’re our gift and legacy.
We’ve plowed and we’ve tilled.
Now we reap what we sow,
Yet there’s more to be filled.

Our parents are aging,
And one has gone on.
But we still have some,
To love and serve,
Until we all go to where we’re from.

Through it all you’ll stay true.
You’ll remain the same and never fail.
You are my rock and ruby jewel.
You are a reflection of my Savior;
I pray to be more like you.

One score and a half decade more,
A quarter century together,
Our midpoint in life is past.
And now we look back,
All with joy, and few regrets to cast.

It’s far from over, we’ve only begun,
To explore the depths of life,
And holiness to chase.
Let’s always stand together,
And never lose our inseparable embrace.

Through it all let’s stay true.
Remain the same and never fail.
You are my rock and ruby jewel.
You are a reflection of my Savior;
I pray to be more like you.

“An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.”
My God has given me her for sure.

Through it all let’s stay true.
Let’s remain the same and never fail.
You are my rock and ruby jewel.
You are a reflection of my Savior;
I pray to be more like you.

Happy Anniversary, Victoria.

I love you,

Tom