Bless the Broken Road

Here it is! The day I’ve been envisioning for years. Our big day! It’s a cold January day, can’t really do anything about the weather, but we’ve prepared for it. We decided an early evening would do since it gets dark out so early. Hopefully snow would be on the ground. Beautifully decorated with winter blue and silver flowers, the windows in the chapel picks up the flickering of the hundreds of warm candles. They surround Tom at the altar and greet me in waves as I glide down the aisle looking like a queen in my jewel encrusted icy blue dress to meet my husband of 25 years. As family and a few friends look on, we renew our commitment and love for one another……

I talked myself out of that when I realized how much is was going to cost……

Next I thought, maybe we could have a small ceremony at our campground. It’s pretty much our favorite place to be, but then I realized it’s January. And even if we waited until spring to do this, who would we even invite to come celebrate with us? We don’t have many friends by choice, and besides 3 children and their families, the rest of our families are WAY out of the area.

So…then I thought maybe we should just plan a trip to warmer weather, just the two of us. The Florida Keys maybe. Romantic getaway….we've never really taken a vacation or gotten away on our own. Seemed like it was time. Then BAM! Cancer!

We didn’t start our relationship traditionally, so why follow tradition now?

We were set up on a blind date when we were both still legally married, both in the midst of divorces.

Our first “Date” was a Labor Day party at a mutual friend’s house who thought we may hit it off. I was a smoker at the time and he offered me one of his $20 cigars. It was literally the worst thing I’ve ever tasted in my life. We still laugh about me disappearing for awhile to find a way to ditch the cigar!

I ended up pregnant within a couple of weeks of knowing him (Fertile Myrtle, I know), we decided to make a “go” of it. My parents were not happy. Pretty sure no one ever expected us to make it.

But let me tell you one of the first things I remember Tom telling me….this was very shortly into our relationship when I was 100% in and told myself I would never lie to him about anything. I told him why my last marriage ended expecting him to be doubtful of my commitment to him for the rest of our lives. He said, “The only reason someone would cheat on someone else is if they were not being given what they needed. That won’t happen here.” And it hasn’t. He has been everything I needed in my life.

We married at a courthouse in Wichita Falls, TX by the nine fingered woman. Actually it was 9 1/2 fingers, but it sounds better the other way. We wore jeans and sweatshirts/sweaters and used our simple gold wedding bands we purchased from the PX for a combined price of $100. We had no money and it didn’t matter. We also have no pictures of that day.

He’s been a father to OUR children. He’s been a fixer of all things, including me. We have learned that we work better as a team although we have definitely tried working against each other. We’ve realized, together, that all of the hard years have led to the years where we can enjoy each other. We’ve learned that we will do anything for the other and that the dreams we had when we were younger don’t really mean anything. Just being with each other is what we need.

We aren’t romantic, we’ll never be the rose petal and wine couple. We ARE the couple that would give up everything for the other.

And I know without a doubt that I’m exactly where I want and need to be. Taking care of him in his time of need so that he is there to take care of me when I need him.

I don’t hear this song often, but to me this is the story of our marriage.

Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts

https://youtu.be/FaQHyHwFgeg?si=w0GQu3Q_xunXyaKr

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

That every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passin' through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there, you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you