eighteen years

Oct 15, 2011

Eighteen years ago today I was in the Salt Lake Temple making sacred covenants with my Heavenly Father and my Richard.

I remember the peace I was surrounded with. It completely encompassed my being and testified to me that I was in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

We are taught that in our church. Over and over again we are taught those words. I never really believed I would be living them. I pretty much thought I might spend my life doing the wrong thing at the wrong time at the wrong place.

Marrying Richard was the best decision of my life. It completely changed the course of my life, the state of my heart, and the capacity of my soul. That one decision transformed me.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation and it wasn’t easy, but it was exactly what I needed. Jesus reached out to me through Richard and taught me the essence of love, the reality of repentance, and the doctrine of happiness. Through Richard’s love I was able to comprehend God’s love. Through temple ordinances I was able to see truth. Through covenant-making and covenant-keeping I was able to receive power and sustenance from on high.

I remember the hug Richard’s mom gave me that long ago morning in the temple. She wrapped her arms around me and whispered in my ear “Thank you for making my son so happy.” I will always remember those words. I have thought of them often and they have served to remind me to keep working for his happiness. Richard has dedicated his life to making me happy and I need to remember to do the same for him.

This morning, I woke up to this gourmet omelet and two Lindor chocolates.

Yummmmm.

I love this man.

I love that God sent him to me.

I am so grateful that my spirit recognized the goodness, the safety, and the peace within him and made a leap of faith that I could have happiness in my own life. It was a HUGE leap for me…and it has made all the difference.