Where did the time go?

Today marks the 23rd year of our marriage. And, of course, a completely new path in a journey that has had more twists and turns than a good suspense/thriller novel.

Jim Croce wrote "The Hard Way Everytime" many years ago. I thought at the time that it was probably the story of his life—and it may have been. But from my vantage point today, looking back at almost 50 years of life I realize that this song was also a somewhat prophetic song about my life.

I have told many people that God has to hit me upside the head with a two-by-four to get my attention. I guess that's a more theological way of describing the same thing Jim Croce said in his song: "I've gone the hard way every time."

But my almost 50 years of life has included almost 25 years of marriage, and I think Jim Croce's final phrase in the song applies to that part of my life: "But when I look back today, I wouldn't have had it any other way."

It pains me to think of what I've brought my wife through during 23 years of marriage. It has not been an easy road. But through it all she has remained solid as a rock. She has always loved me, defended me, and pointed me in the right direction when I got lost. She's a fantastic wife, an unbelievably dedicated mother, and sexier today than she was when God allowed me to snag the most amazingly gorgeous woman in my church.

Kim on our honeymoon in St. Thomas, USVI

And now, after 23 years of marriage we're preparing to move to a new location—someplace we have not lived before. We don't know the people there. We don't know the culture there. But it seems that God is directing our paths, so arm-in-arm and dragging our son with us, we walk off down this new path—another branch in the road of our life that has been so full of twists and turns.

Happy anniversary, my love. I could never have made this trip without you. And I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. While the tempest has swirled non-stop around us, God blessed me with you—my solid rock shelter in the midst of the storm.

When I look back today,
I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Kim and me in Minneapolis when Kim was awarded
National Photographer of the Year 2006