“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” ~Ruth Bell Graham
Sunday morning service on January 15, 2012. Official launch service for Mars Hill Portland.
Mature Couple Embracing in Their Apartment
Have you talked to your co-forgiver lately?
40 years ago today I met the woman I would marry.* Of course, I had no idea at the time. In fact I was trying very hard to commit to a sweet girl I’d been dating for a long while when I met this other woman named Trudy. Yes, she was beautiful, but she was also complicated, and who needs that, right? Apparently I did. “I keep thinking about her,” I confessed in my journal. The sweet girl faded away and the complicated one came more and more into focus. For two years Trudy and I loved and misunderstood each other. And then we broke up. And then we forgave each other. And then we broke up. And then we forgave each other. And then we became best friends. Because love is like that. Messy. Complicated. And wonderful.
♥
*P.S. It was January 13th, actually, but on a Thursday not a Friday (whew!).
Happy Wedding Anniversary.
Thank you. Just to clarify: it’s not our wedding anniversary, but the anniversary of the day we met.
January 13th is apparently the day when God chooses to do good things. He brought you and Trudy together that day according to His purposes. And forty years before your memorable day, He chose for me to be born. That event may not mean much to the world (who, beside my Mom, even noticed?), but it meant a lot to me. May God continue to richly bless your union!
I had hoped to be able to wish Bob Frohlich a Happy 80th Birthday (tomorrow)! We are enriched by your presence among us, Bob!
Happy early birthday, Robert!
Happy anniversary!
Thanks, Beth!
That is awesome!! I love this reflection and personally applaud the choice of complicated over sweet. Way more interesting…
Happy met-anniversary!! 🙂 <3
Thanks, Wynne!
Happy anniversary! She has the magic.
She does indeed, Sandy.
It was August of 1973, 50 years ago, I met my co-forgiver. We were in college and he was a Math major in the marching band, and I was a music major taking Calculus, a Science Fiction seminar, and a computer programming course…and he just kept showing up in every area I was interested in. He was fun to talk to, but he wasn’t what I was looking at for a boyfriend. Well, until he was. We dated for 2 years, then he graduated and I changed schools, but we were engaged for 2 years. 5 kids, 4 weddings, and countless funerals, and (I think) 3 arguments later, we work in offices in our home across the hall from each other, and we can’t imagine any other way things could be better.
What a lovely, complicated romance, Rebecca.
So are the best relationships characterized by their complexity? 40 years of love are nothing to sneeze at! (congratulations btw!)
Thanks!
rebecca how was life in year 97 98 99 44 o 25 years ago
97, just moved and my oldest son was graduating from High School
98, left Hardee’s and started working for Wendy’s
99, became a stockbroker
44 years ago had my first of 5 children
25 years ago, established my 2nd business
Establishing my 3rd business this year.
do you want to count to 100
nope
as for 15 years of love
Happy Wedding Anniversary! 🎉
Thank you (actually, it’s the anniversary of the day we met)!
Happy for both of you! 💐
Congratulations for 40 years of love and personal and spiritual growth!
Thank you, Caroll!
<3 <3 <3 Happy 40! <3 <3 <3
Thanks, sis!
Happy 40 years of keeping on your toes!
;>) Thanks, Joy!
Happy for-life anniversary! Wonderful!
Thank you, Carol!
I couldn’t agree more there needs to be two really, really good forgivers involved to get that kind of longevity together. Congrats!
Thanks, Bruce!
Forty years of marriage…that is amazing.
40 years of knowing each other, actually (38 years of marriage this September).
Awesome! 💞
All the best on your anniversary
Thanks, John!
😁
Friday the 13th isn’t so bad. But congratulations on 40 years! God bless!
Thanks, Nancy!
Oh, that’s awesome Mitch. So happy for you. Congratulations on 40 years being together!
Thank you, Brian!
Aww 💕💕💕
I love a good romance story 💖
Congrats, Mitch and Trudy. We’re going. on 59 this year. I always thought it sounded so romantic to grow old together. I thought it would be a lot more fun. Just kidding. we have a lot of fun together.
Whew, you had me worried there for a second, Kathy! ;>)
Congratulations to you and Trudy! 40 years is a wonderful milestone. Relationships seem to be be disposable – like everything else – nowadays.
Sadly, yes. Thanks, Kellye.
Wonderful testimony of love! Happy anniversary and many more! 🎊
Thank you, Lisa!
Forty years of togetherness is a great thing. Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, Neil!
So sweet! ❤️
How awesome. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you!
Congrats on your 40th Anniversary, Mitch! Wishing you many more decades with your co-forgiver! 😄
Thank you, Mr. Ramdolfi!
Nothing better than a good relationship!
Awww. Super sweet. Happy anniversary. 🙂
Thank you, Betsy.
What a beautiful day to remember! 💕It’s so good to be here at your “place”. It’s always filled with wisdom (two forgivers~perfect!)!
And it’s so good to have you visit my place, Karla! <3
Thank you, Mitch! 💚
Aww. This is such a beautiful thing. Happy Anniversary, Mitch! 🙌🏾👏🏾🎉
Thanks, trE!
You’re quite welcome!
True, love can be complicated…Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Janice!
What a beautiful love story and a rich treasure for your descendants!
It is real stories like these of they who made it that make the younger ones like us still hold on to hope. Really happy for you two! Happy wedding anniversary to both of you! ❤
Thank you, Mia!
Awww Happy Meeting Anniversary! 💜 I couldn’t remember the date of the guy I met that I fell in love with, and it makes me wish I’d have written it down. I remember the place and what happened, just no idea of the date. Not that it matters anymore as I’ve not seen him in a decade, but still.
I just wanted to say how beautiful your post is. It also gives hope to all the complex women out there! 😉 I’m so glad you follow your instincts and went for what felt right, rather than what may have seemed more logical.
Caz xx
Thank you, Caz!
You don’t let the blessings from God fail-not your acting, not your writing, and not your relationship with the love of your life. Congratulations, Mitch.
Oh, I take far too many detours, Nancy, but I do eventually manage to end up where God is leading me.
Very Happy Anniversary wishes to you and Trudy! 💞
Thank you, Nancy!
Awww Happy Anniversary!!
Thanks, Lori!
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Congratulations, Mitch and Trudy! You are so right: the willingness to forgive is paramount to a long, satisfying marriage. / Steve and I also started out as friends. I think that’s the best way to begin. We realized we enjoyed each other’s company before any romantic involvement occurred.
Thanks, dear friend, and congrats to you for a long and meaningful marriage as well.
Aw! Yes!! Co-forgivers! Amen! And each others’ sidekick comedian!!
Oops! I sent that too soon! Congratulations on 40 years together!! A momentous occasion indeed!
Thanks, Peach!
Happy (Meeting) anniversary, Mitch! Ruth Bell Graham is so right about two good forgivers making a happy marriage!
Thanks, Keith!
Congrats Mitch and Trudy for 40 years of togetherness. May you stay happy friendly ♾️ and forever. My wishes to you and family. Have a great year after year. When I go through your posts, you express every thing with pure heart.👍🏻🎇
Aw, thank you, Ramani.
Congratulations on 40 years. Steve and I just hit 47 this month. Yikes! Love the photos!
Well, then, congrats on your 47 years, Jennie!
😀
Wow! Awesome Post!
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