This week’s post is a little different. It’s my love letter to John, marking 20 years together.  

Dear John, 

20 freakin’ years. Can you even!? October 11, 2003. 

In our 20 years together, I can count on my hands how many blowup arguments we’ve had. Not many. The worst being in the mid 2000s when you didn’t get the sushi roll I wanted. I’m so glad our worst argument was about sushi.

We’ve experienced so much life together. Not only 20 years of marriage, but a total of 25 years together! 

9-11
World Championship Titles
College Graduation
Our 21st birthdays
Culinary School
Alinea
Eating our way through SO MANY countries
Creating life together

This list could go on forever and ever. 

Sometimes, I wonder how I got so lucky to have found you so early in my life. To be able to experience all the ups and downs of life with someone since the age of 18. To marry at 23 and never have one regret about getting married so young.

Our wedding seems like a lifetime ago but I remember everything so vividly. The weather was literally perfect. Just like everything else about the day. Just like our life together. 75 degrees and sunny. 

I remember you fighting back tears seeing me come down the aisle at you. 

I remember how I felt when “A Beautiful Day” by U2 played after we officially tied the knot. 

I remember you and I off to the side at the reception, just looking at the big room of beautiful people who were there to celebrate our love. 

I remember taking that moment to soak it all in, to freeze that moment in time so that I could carry it with me forever. 

I remember how you danced even though you don’t like dancing – and how much fun we had.

I remember smashing the cake on our faces and how lucky I felt to be officially your wife.

I still feel that. Every single day. 

And on that day, October 11 2003, we looked at each other in front of our loving friends and family, and made many promises to each other. Specifically, our vows were this:

John, 

The first time I saw you I was struck.
It was before we ever spoke
Before any eye contact.
There was this aura around you
That struck me.
It’s like, I knew.
Although distance surrounded us the first 8 months, we didn’t let it hinder us.
Realizing that whatever is meant to be will be, I didn’t deny what I felt.
We allowed destiny to take it’s course.
Now we stand here with this perfect chance
To live our love.
Our Love, it’s real. I know this for many reasons.
It’s because I still feel the excitement in my stomach
After being away for a few weeks.
It’s because when we hold hands I can feel your warmth.
It’s because I see myself in the reflection of your eyes.
I am able to see my own happiness literally through your eyes.
It’s how you sweep my hair out of my face and kiss my nose.
It’s making me laugh when I’m having a rough day.
It’s because you support me 100% in everything I do, no matter what.

For those reasons, I know this love is real.

Since I was a little girl I’ve dreamt of finding someone who completely understands me
Who gives me strength every single day,
Accepts my weaknesses and grows from my strengths.
One who thanks God at night for me.
I’ve dreamt of this – until now – until you.
You’ve turned these dreams into reality.
And I vow to spend the rest of my life showing You how grateful I am for you.
I vow to take care of you, and allow you to take care of me.
I vow to forgive, forget, and move on.
I vow to not just look at you, but to always look into you.
I vow to not take things too seriously – to laugh a lot, to smile.
I vow to always try the food you cook, and to give you my honest opinion.

You’ve inspired me to follow my dreams.
So I strive to help you reach your goals.

As you have loved me, so will I love you.

When you fall, I will catch you.
When you cry, I will comfort you.
When you succeed, I will have succeeded.

John, everything that I am, and everything I have Is yours from this moment forth and for eternity.

 

Diandra,

We’ve had an amazing journey, which has led us here, where at this very moment, we are about to begin the rest of our lives together. 

The very first time I met you, I felt fortunate to be in the presence of such a beautiful, unique and loving individual. 

And since then, you have become such a natural part of my soul, that I cannot imagine my life without you.

Today, I feel like the luckiest man in the world to be standing here sharing with you, the most incredible gift you could have ever given me. 

Through our first five years together we’ve shared some remarkable moments that I will not forget for the rest of my life. 

Yet, as I stand here looking into your eyes, I realize there is so much more I have to offer you.

 

Diandra, 

I promise to love and support you with every passing moment of our lives. 

I promise to always share with you my honest thoughts and feelings. 

I promise to be faithful and true to you.

I promise to try and understand you even when we don’t agree. 

I promise to let you grow as an individual, and blossom further in your already successful career, as we grow together in our marriage. 

You are my love, my life and my everything. 

And, these promises I will keep from now until eternity. 

 

___

 

For me, at this moment, I stand by every single one of those words in my vows. Then, Today, and Forever. 

And I know you stand by yours. 

We are supposed to be on our anniversary vacation this week. We had it all planned out, and we both needed a break. We were going to relax, experience, and eat. But life had other plans. For the last month, we have been through a lot. Because we have been so blessed with a life not full of tragedy, this month has felt really hard. First, my kidney stone/infection. Then Madden’s emergency baseball to his forehead. Now, my dad has been in the ICU for over two weeks. It’s been emotional. And scary. 

But one thing is for sure. I am so fortunate to have you to hug me at the end of these hard days. To cry into your shoulder. To have to talk to when I need someone or just be with when I don’t feel like talking. This is what marriage is about. To pick each other up. You’ve picked me up for the last month, and I’ve never loved you more.

When the time is right, we will have our 20th-anniversary trip, and it will be amazing.

You’ll always have my heart.

Your proud wife of 20 years, 

Diandra