Love
/Paul and I have been married 18 years on May 4th. So we took some time to reflect - you see Paul and I have known each other for 35 years. I was friends with Paul's mom, Paula and his sister, Candi. This is not a story about our love but it is a certainly is a Love story.
Cheri, who is Paul's younger sister was married in 1991 to a very handsome man, Jeff. Cheri was about 11 the first time I met her, she was beautiful - when she stopped long enough for you to see her. She was always turning cartwheels, jumping, standing on her head, running, flipping, tumbling, or jumping off of something, but the thing I remember the most is how she could balance. She had the best balance I had ever seen.
Balance a skill she still uses today. Cheri and Jeff had a Son, Austin, on August 11, 1994. Austin was born with, Sturge–Weber syndrome, a very rare disease. I can't explain what it is so you will have to look it up for yourself.
When Austin was about 6 months old I got a call from Candi that he had been hospitalized in Macon. I am not sure how long he was in the hospital but it sure seemed like a long time. When I would get off work I would go to the hospital to visit and Paul would be there. I can't explain how difficult that time was for Paul's family but the strength that they had was unbelievable. I also got to witness so much love, love that grandparents have for a grandson, love a family has for each other, love parents have for a child, and the love a husband and wife have for each other.
That's what this story is about, Cheri and Jeff, a great love story. Marriage is hard in the best of times, but when life throws you a Curve... We are in awe of how they have Balanced life as only they know it. They are truly a team and just like good teammates they have each other’s back. They are each other’s cheerleaders. They are an inspiration to so many. We love it when Cheri says to Jeff "Oh Baby" and Jeff tells Cheri "you look hot". Paul and I have been fortunate enough to get to witness their love. They are the best kind of people, good to the core, unselfish, tolerant, caring, courageous, patient, strong, kind and most of all loving. We are so in awe of them. They will be married 23 years this year.
So, on our 18 anniversary, we are reminded of all of those couples that have shown us how strong true love really is... With their inspiration, we look forward to many more wonderful years together!
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
