Thursday, September 23, 2010

A is for affection...

and the one that I adore.
Life happens and through the course of time,
we change and become more of who we really are.

I met my husband at the very young age of 16.  He was my high school sweetheart, my first and only true love.
At 16, I loved him because he was cute, popular, funny and lots of fun to be around. He treated me with respect and delighted in me as a girl.  I felt special and proud to be his girlfriend.

Today, almost 25 years after our first date, I realize the affection...fondness, tenderness and love that sparked our relationship...has grown into something more. Something that can only be found in the midst of real life. The circumstances, successes, misfortunes and blessings that come as a result of living life daily, struggling, questioning, growing and believing.

It's much more than affection...it's adoration.
Loving greatly.
Respecting highly.

I love him greatly because he has loved me carefully and courageously. He has given himself to me and our children. He has always put us first!
I respect him highly because he is a man after God's own heart. He believes he can be a better man and never settles for less. He believes the best is yet to come.
He is becoming more of who he truly is... and he is bringing me along.

At 16...I knew I'd never love him any less...I just never knew I could love him so much more.
He is the object of my affection and the one that I adore!



I am excited to begin Alphabe-Thursday at the very beginning.
I look forward to the challenges of a weekly writing assignment...and to what I will learn about myself and others in the process.
To read more Alphabe-Thursday posts head on over to Jenny Matlock's blog!
Jenny Matlock

32 comments:

  1. I love this post Jen!

    I think it's so cool that you met and fell in love at 16! but have allowed each other to develop and change over the years!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How special, Jen!! I have been with my hubby since he as 16, I am a year and 7 months older. lol! I feel the same way about my hubby. I love that picture of you two together. =) Thanks for sharing! ~Liz

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an awesome post, Jen! I married my high school sweetheart, too. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I only have a second, before work, but this post is beautiful! I know what you mean and exactly what you are saying! You are very blessed, but you worked at it and let God have his Will in your life. You are a wonderful example, and an adorable couple!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lucky lady you are, and what a lucky man he is! True love....nothing better!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is what it's all about girl. You are awesome and it looks and sounds like you are both awesome together.
    Best wishes always.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You two are so cute. I love this post...what a nice way to love your husband:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm your newest follower from Alphabe-Thursday! I loved your post! Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do not know you, but I find myself tearing up at this beautiful post. What a lovely couple you are. The world needs more people and couples in the world like you. Thank you so much for sharing. Hopped over from AlphabeThursday! Gonna go send a love note to my own Hunky Hubby now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awww, such a sweet tribute to your husband! Thanks for sharing your story with us :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. OK, somebody get me a tissue - this post is just amazing! So beautifully written, so heartfelt, so honest ... and the gorgeous photo too?! You guys clearly treasure what you have - how blessed you are!

    ReplyDelete
  12. YOu guys are such a cute and loving couple...I love that! Such a sweet post Jen...you guys are truly blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jen,

    This was perhaps one of the most beautiful love letters I've read. You are very lucky to have found the love of your life at such a tender age and for that love to be so much stronger after 25 years is a true blessing.

    Congratulations! Here's to the next 25 years! La

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful tribute! He sounds so special. Glad I could learn more about him today.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jen, what a beautiful post! You two are adorable and you still look 16 in that picture. In fact, you look like brother and sister!!

    You are truly blessed to have such a wonderful partner in life. Cherish every moment of it. I know you do.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, Jen, what a beautiful post! I so understand because I have also married my childhood sweetheart! We had a little harder time of getting together but there is nothing better than having this chemistry with your best friend!!! My hubby said the other day that he remembers married couples telling us when we were young and married to just wait until 20 years...you won't be so happy. He said he thinks he is even happier now and I know I am! Thanks for sharing! Makes me want to hug my guy now!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh man, I am crying my way through many of these posts this week. This is just so sweet. You are very blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  18. YOU are so sweet!! There are simply no words that I can say that could possibly capture all my heart wants to express to you right now...except....I ADORE YOU SO MUCH TOO!! It's that "SO-OTHER" Love flowing through your Heart into mine...that has, is, and will always be my anchor!!!

    Yours!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love a high school romance that lasts! And boy, this one seems to have gone way beyond lasting...

    Loved your touching tribute to the guy you adore.

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a cute couple you are! But more, and better than that is the special bond you two have forged over the years. He is a lucky guy, and I suspect you are one lucky girl.

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is so sweet and y'all are such a cute couple. We have been married 35 years.

    ReplyDelete
  22. There is Joy in your life. It shines bright...like a beacon!~Ames

    ReplyDelete
  23. T.E.A.R.S.......all over the keyboard....

    you are just soo lovely.....i adore this post jen....

    melissa xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. We chose the same word - but with a slightly different take. I enjoyed your post, mostly because I married my first sweetheart too!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jen, so sweet. I hope your hubby reads this, he would be so thrilled to know how you feel. I think the pic of you two is great too. 25 years! wow!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What an awesome and ongoing love story yours is. Thanks for sharing. Love the picture of you too!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've always been so intrigued with couples who were high school sweethearts. I went through many frogs before I found my prince. Your way sounds much nicer, although it makes me wonder if I would have been wise enough to see The Agronomist for who he really is without the comparisons of what I didn't want? I read this when it first went up and you inspired me to join up with Alphabe Thursday. Tough times with V-ball right now and don't know how to guide my girl.
    Dana

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a wonderful post about your hubby.

    ReplyDelete
  29. So sweet and what a gorgeous photo of the two of you! Thanks for sharing! We're high school sweethearts going on 10 years married and I hope we're as happy as you two at 25! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jen, I am still musing over this beautiful sentiment: because he has loved me carefully and courageously

    What a lovely tribute to a loving and healthy relationship.

    This entire post made my heart smile.

    I'm so glad you linked this. It was really a wonderful stop for Alphabe-Thursday.

    Thank you.

    A

    ReplyDelete
  31. How lovely. And how lucky you are to have found each other.

    I'm lucky to have found your blog!

    xo
    babymama

    PS - done stalking for now. :)

    ReplyDelete