We had been good friends for a few years and one day, at the height of our friendship, I decided to do something crazy.  We grabbed a pastry, an apple, and some chocolate milk and sat on one of the benches at the Allsop Park Promenade in Hilcrest (Little Rock).  There, we did what we always did. Talked about God and about life.  It was a typical day with my friend.  She didn’t know I had been carrying a diamond ring in my backpack for over a week, waiting for the right conversation to happen.  The moment came, so I got down on one knee and gave her my gift. As she opened it, I asked if she would spend the rest of her life with me.  She said she wanted to say a prayer. WHAT!? I was a little worried now. You see, we were friends. FRIENDS.  She could very well say no and it would become a very awkward moment.  Time seemed to stop.  “Yes,”she said.   Yessssssssss.

So here we are, married for 8 years.  Tanya is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known.  I’ve not known a more feminine model of a Godly woman.  She has such a passion for studying the Word and is a prayer warrior.  She has a great gift for teaching and has a heart for ministry. She is an awesome teacher, both to our children and to our peers.  She has a beautiful voice and loves to praise God in song.  She’s a country girl at heart, yet we actually get along quite well.  Despite our minor musical differences, we find common ground in our love for music in general.  We’ve been to concerts ranging from mellow-Wynton Marsalis, to not-so-mellow- pre-famous Evanescence, as well as some quality shred- Living Sacrifice (and a wide range in between).  In addition to our love for music, we share a love of God’s creation and “the great outdoors”.  Of course, the thing that “glues” us together is a shared passion for God Himself.  What else could explain this union between a quiet country girl from Piggott and this once purple haired, pierced, tattooed punk from Little Rock?  I could go on and on and on. I’m sure you noticed my intent was to talk about my awesome friend, but I ended up talking about “us”.  The reason is simple.  We are a perfect team, a perfect compliment to one another.  I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her in it.

Thank you, God, for giving me a spiritually challenging, physically fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable friend and lover!