Number One.

Testing.  Testing.  One, two, three, four.  (When did that become the norm for microphone checks, anyway?)  Is this thing on?  (If it were up to me, mic checks would include quotations from Dumb and Dumber, The Office and Arrested Development.)

Hello.  My name is Adam, husband to mi esposa caliente, Jessica (pronounced Yessica); future father to a precious daughter (name to be revealed in a future blog); owner of a feisty and eccentric Yorkshire terrier named Buster; lover of comedy, music, reading, correct grammar and movies; worship leader at Cahaba Park Church; mandolinist/vocalist of acoustic Americana band, Act of Congress; teacher of several instruments; and blogger (will become true after this post).  Jessica (with a Y, remember) and I decided that it was high time that we started a blog; that our thoughts needed to be recorded and read by the masses (largely due to their genius insight); that one day in the future, we too, would want to reflect on our fondest memories and discoveries in our marriage and life together.  And so, it begins.

October 7, 2013. Yesterday marks our wedding anniversary of seven years.  I couldn't possibly sum up in a blog post the joy, comfort, encouragement and happiness that Jessica brings to my life.  The Lord has been extremely gracious in blessing me with a wife that continually seeks to know me - the obvious, distracted silence indicating a warring battle in my head and heart; the false look of sincerity that will inevitably become an uncontrollable smile; the never-ending ramblings that call for a listener, not a solver; the power of tender and loving arms that immediately return me to a place of belonging and acceptance;  the grace that floods my soul communicated in three simple words. I. Love. You.

Our marriage counselor encouraged me several years ago to live with my wife "in an understanding way." (1 Peter 3:7)  That challenge has changed my marriage and will continue to do so in the years to come.  

7 on the 7th

Yesterday was our 7th anniversary.  Seven whole years. It's hard to remember what life was like before Adam, yet it feels like our wedding was yesterday.  We were babies when we got married- 22 and 23- and I'm amazed looking back at the Lord's sovereignty in pulling us together.  I didn't know myself at all, much less what I needed in a husband (or what I needed to be as a wife). Now, a whole seven years later, I could not imagine myself with anyone else. This man has taught me how to forgive, how to serve, how to laugh (oh, how I needed this), how to trust, how to really love. A gentle leader, always seeking restoration in the middle of conflict, he is just what I need to be reminded of Jesus daily. He's quick to use those dimples and throw out a joke when things get too serious (which I'm often guilty of causing).  Nothing can put me at ease like that dimple-cornered smile.

After our dinner date last night I asked Adam what he treasured most about the last seven years.  He said that he felt the most known when he was with me, which was exactly what my answer would have been.  There is something amazing and gospel-reflecting about being fully known and fully loved.

Now for a little jaunt down memory lane...