A Letter To my Husband

10.20.2010

Dear Michael,
We've been married three years! Can you believe it? I'm sure you can since I've mentioned it every day for the last few weeks. I guess that gives you an idea of how happy I am to be your wife.

I, Meredith, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband...

The other day I said I was so proud of you and you asked me why. Michael, I'm proud of you for so many things. For your quiet grace. For your humbleness. For your optimism. For your constant patience. For your love of our family and friends. For not only forgiving my quirks but loving them. For knowing when to laugh. For knowing when to say absolutely nothing. For simply being you.

And I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife…

Recently you asked if I pray every day and I told you I do. You didn’t ask what I pray for but the answer is you. Always you. I pray for your present, I pray for your future, and I thank God for our past. It is my greatest joy to be Mrs. Haynes.

In plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow,
in sickness and in health…

2009 was a year of ups and downs so we declared 2010 to be the year of simplicity and ease. I think we’ve both learned that trying to plan our own life makes the big guy upstairs laugh. 2010 has had its own challenges, but we’ve managed to get through each and every bump with a shrug and a laugh. I know more bumps are on the horizon and call me crazy but I’m almost looking forward to them. Every struggle, every misstep we conquer together is valid proof that you and I were meant for one another. My prayer is that we never take the plenty, the joy, and the health for granted.

As long as we both shall live.

Since we started dating I’ve been cursed with a few wrinkles and you’ve been blessed with a few grey hairs (let’s be honest: grey hair is hot, wrinkles are not). This is not to say we need a cane and walker, but as long as we’re around one another every wrinkle and grey hair is the result of a precious life well-lived together. And for that reason I will cherish these smile lines because I know why they’re here.

I can’t wait to grow old with you, Michael Haynes.

Happy Anniversary! Love love. Merdi

But there is not enough time
And there is no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together… -JJ