REVerie - 35th Wedding Anniversary

On July 14, 1973, I made the best decision of my life – I pledged my love to Janice Ann Nicholson in the Cascades Baptist Church in Jackson, Michigan.  We dated for nearly three years.  I can still remember the first time I saw her standing in the choir at the church on a Sunday morning in August of 1970.  She was wearing a sleeveless yellow dress, was tanned from a summer in the sun, and had cute blond hair.  I couldn’t take my eyes off her.  I didn’t think there were Christian girls who looked that great!  After church I met her, and immediately fell in love with her smile and vibrant personality. 

 (Don’t laugh…it was the 70’s!)

Later in the month, we met again at college (Grand Rapids Baptist College), and I started pursuing her relentlessly.  I asked her out the first night.  We sat and talked for three hours.  I couldn’t get enough of her.  It took me a while to talk her into marrying me, but on February 12, 1973, she finally said yes.  My family loved her.  In fact, I’ve said through the years that I think they liked her better than me!  I understand why.  Clearly, I “married up!”  She is not only gorgeous on the outside, she radiates internal beauty the Bible talks about.  I’ve never met anyone like her.  She is the perfect fit for me!

Today, as I look back on our 35 years, the memories flood my heart.  We’ve loved and lived and served and suffered and played and prayed.  Jan has always been right at my side.  She’s never wavered in her encouragement and support of me. 

We’ve both been through some deep valleys with health struggles.  At certain points, both of us have ended up at Mayo Clinic, seeking answers to health riddles.  Our inability to have children has been, and remains, a heavy burden.  When we vowed, “in sickness and in health…” I’m sure we both anticipated more health than sickness.  But God has carried us every step of the way.  I believe we’re closer because of what we’ve faced.

Ministering together in two churches (7 years in Michigan, and 23 years in Colorado) has been a profound blessing.  It’s not easy to be a pastor’s wife.  Expectations can be stifling.  Jan isn’t a “take-over” kind of person.  She’s a kind, humble, supportive woman who loves to be in the background, praying and encouraging.  She’s also very gifted in music.  Piano, violin, and voice!  Her health challenges have kept her from significant involvement in church music for a while, but I benefit from her gifts in our home.  We actually love singing together, and haven’t stopped doing that in 35 years!

Serving the Lord is a blessing, but it can also be a tough calling.  We both know what it’s like to be in a deep pit, but we’ve also found (in the words of Corrie Ten Boom) that “there is not pit so deep but that God is deeper still!”  We absolutely love serving together.  Jan particularly loves moving into the lives of people in crisis to provide comfort, love, and hope.  In my view, she’s an angel in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.  We’ve been there hundreds of times…together.

On this, our 35th anniversary, I want to publicly declare my love for the “wife of my youth!”  Other than my salvation, Janice Ann is the greatest gift God has ever given me.  In fact, that’s what her name – JANICE – means – “God’s gracious gift!”  I love her…TODAY…and ALWAYS!  Happy Anniversary, my little wife!

      

Comments

[betsyb]

Dear MHR and Jan...you two were a cute couple in the 70's ...and still are :-) What a blessing it is to watch your wonderful relationship, and deep love for each other. Your are such an example of what God intends for marriage. Happy, happy anniversary!

[Sandy]

B & J,
Congrats on 35 amazing years together!! I've always said that your marriage reflects better than any couple I know Mark 10:8, "And the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh." HAPPY 35th ANNIVERSARY!!

[gemstone jewelry girl]

I have to say that I have giggled at my parents wedding pictures (70's also) I probably should be more careful because years from now our pictures may look funny too. First of all, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! You 2 sound like a couple of teenagers who have just found puppy love...only its much more than that. And, with great joy I want to say who very refreshing it is to hear the excitement and joy and peace you have in your walk with Christ together...especially on the internet. I have truely enjoyed reading your blog. GOD BLESS YOU!!! Your testimony here has been a blessing.