25 Years. Well, that went by fast.

25 years. The silver anniversary- and as you can see in the progression of photos- I have adequately added every silver hair on Matt’s head.

We forgot to order our wedding pictures- we only have the proofs and snapshots that were taken at the reception on those disposable cameras we all scattered on tables for guests to use. They are the best! The time before cellphones. Matt and I are terrible about taking pictures together. Most are pictures of us and our kids, their friends, our friends, a random sunset at the farm, trips we’ve taken.

My advice to those three babies that are ours- marry the person you can suffer with- marry the person who can walk through the fire- marry the person you can throw a cheeseburger at their head on a random Tuesday night dinner and then laugh together the next day because you missed- you would think I have better aim- marry the one who will stay during sickness and health, especially when it’s one of your children. If you marry a woman like your mother, she is right even if she is wrong. I am certain that is your dad’s greatest advice.

- Love is a verb. It is not a noun. - a wedding is a ceremony of vows to one another for a lifetime, not a party. Marriage requires work. Building a life, just like anything else you build, takes blood, sweat and tears- and a few splinters. Social media shows the smiles. But the hard work happens when it’s just the two of you- nose to the grindstone.

We see the best (the fun and funny) in Matt during Georgia games, playing golf with Knox and Walker, trips with Mike, and turns out, he makes a pretty good Disney Dad. It’s been the adventure of a lifetime.

My greatest love story.