25 Years of Marriage: Not Lucky. Just Stubborn (and Blessed).

Twenty-five years. A quarter of a century. Two and a half decades. That’s how long my wife and I have been married. We got married young—21 and 19. Barely out of our teenage years and definitely not in possession of fully formed frontal lobes (seems like mine might never actually form).

And you know what? Best decision we ever made.

Some folks might look at us and say, “Wow, you guys are so lucky!” To which I will always return an eye roll. And while we do feel incredibly blessed, let’s be clear: this isn’t luck—it’s work. Hard work. The kind of work that makes you tired and joyful and grateful all at the same time. And we wouldn't trade it for anything.

Love, despite what the romantic comedies and sappy Instagram captions might tell you, isn’t primarily a feeling. It’s a commitment. Feelings change. Commitments stay. And here’s the beautiful part: when you commit, really commit, those sweet feelings of love actually grow deeper and richer. Like a flower blooming in the rich, messy, imperfect soil of daily, determined devotion.

We’ve been through job changes, diaper blowouts, toddler tantrums, teenager attitudes, and a heck of a lot more. Through all of that, love didn’t fade. It deepened.

Every time we added a new child to the family, our love didn’t divide—it multiplied. Somehow, there was always more love to go around, not just for our kids, but for each other. It’s like our love expanded with every tiny pair of socks we folded. (And while love keeps growing, let’s be clear—the family is complete. The nursery is closed.)

We’ve had the honor of growing up together, not just growing old together. We figured out life side by side! And as we’ve grown, we’ve learned that commitment isn’t a ball and chain—it’s a safety net. It’s the sturdy thing that catches you when life feels like a high wire act.

Now, before you think we’re trying to hand out marriage advice like candy from a parade float—let me say this: everyone’s story is different. This isn’t judgment. It’s just our story. But if you’re asking us, we’ll tell you: getting married young was the best decision of our lives.

Living together to “try it out” just isn’t the same as standing before God, family, and friends and saying, “I’m not going anywhere. No matter what.” That’s not just romance. That’s gospel. That’s commitment. That’s a picture of Jesus' love for us. And that, my friends, is how you build something that lasts.

We said “till death do us part,” and since Jesus defeated death, I guess that means we’re stuck with each other forever. (Okay, maybe not theologically airtight, but it sounds sweet, so I’m sticking with it.)

So here’s to 25 years. Not of perfection, but of persistence. Not of luck, but of love—real, gritty, God-honoring, roll-up-your-sleeves love.

And here’s to forever. Or at least the rest of this life... and possibly eternity. We’ll let the theologians figure that part out.