“We just got married and have no idea what that means!”
When you’re a 25-year-old bride
walking down the aisle
scared, excited, feeling as if it’s not your own feet that are walking toward a guy
who will soon be your husband
You don’t, you can’t fast forward to
25 years later
three children
OUR awesome olive shoots too long ago…
three SONS!
three awesome olive shoots –
a Soldier, a ministry minded guy
and an orange hair, freckle face ginger -WHAT???
And you don’t expect that
25 years later
you’d go to Whole Foods
Excited to buy organic purple kale
for a green smoothie
with your Hubs
on your anniversary
And no one could have told you that
while you were talking to the produce guy about brocco-sprouts
Your husband would make a funny face and interrupt your conversation
No, when you were a young bride, you wouldn’t have believed that a quarter century later
You’d go over to your husband
by the apples
Dramatic re-enactment of the box. I had already torn off the bow. I was completely flummoxed!
And see a box
A small, black box with a bow
And that your first thought would be “Hey, you’re going to buy the WRONG apples! I said GREEN apples!”
And your second thought would be “Hey, don’t mess with that little box in the apples. That’s not ours. Leave it alone!”
But then you see that man you love, beaming
It’s your box
At the Whole Foods
and yes, you did say GREEN apples…
but you’ve moved past the offense and you open the box
You see THIS
“Ok, that was a weird/awkard/wonderful sparkly surprise!”
The produce guy is as confused as you are
But everyone is smiling
The Hubs and the sweet man at the produce aisle. He was so happy for us when I told him what had just happened. And guess what? He had gone back to the back room and found fresh brocco-sprouts for us!
You place another ring on your finger
Kissing the man you love
An assortment of yummy things and a sparkly blue diamond ring – this was the best grocery trip EV!
AND you get some brocco-sprouts along with your green apples and organic purple kale
That walking on air feeling
You had when you were dressed in white
Happens again
Different place, more casual attire
But the same man is still there
And then just as you are getting ready to publish this post
The doorbell rings
Bells of Ireland, delphinium, rubrum lilies, roses, a breathtaking bouquet!
And this is delivered to your door
You think to yourself
September 5th is truly a momentous day
So you press the publish button because you have to tell everyone
How blessed – really, really blessed you feel today. ❤
My Awesome Olive Shoots 
totally ❤ this post!!! Here's to 25 more!!! Hugs to the GF I've never met in person but whose heart and soul touch me!
I feel the same way! Thank you Lorrie!
so, so sweet Cindy!! praising God with you 🙂 ( its Leah, not Todd)
Thank you so much Leah! It’s so nice to hear from you! ❤
One more thing, I checked out your hubby’s portfolio. Oh my goodness, he is INCREDIBLE! What a talented, anointed artist! You have a blessed, little family truly!
Happy Anniversary!! Wow, what a wonderful hubby!! And you are equally to be treasured! Praying for a continued happy day and many joyful years ahead!! Love you!
I’m not so sure about that but I praise the Lord that he gave me such a good man in spite of myself! Bless you too! You are a dear friend!
Oh Cindy, how exciting! I always did like that Mark Hartley guy.
Yeah, he’s kind of like that Tim Tousey guy. We are blessed.
Dude! I find the neatest stuff in the produce aisle but never that! Happy Anniversary!
I know, that’s what I was thinking. I was completely baffled about why he wanted me to take a box out of the apples. I need to do that more often!
Love this!!! So glad to find your blog. I think we are kindred spirits. I am the blessed mother of 4 sons and just celebrated 25 years marriage. I look forward to reading more and Happy Anniversary!
Wow, that is seriously cool! I’m glad you stumbled upon me as well. Now I need to check out your blog! Congrats on all of your accomplishments as well! Blessings!
You, a beautiful person, deserve beautiful things. Good job Mark!
You know parts of our story, the Lord is good! He has sustained us and our marriage! Thanks for your well wishes! ❤
So sweet! Happy Anniversary! I’m going to make sure my hubby reads this post, so he knows what to do in five years. 🙂
I think it’s wonderful that we have several VERY important things in common! I’m going over to your blog now to read your post about your special day! ❤
Oh oh oh! That is so amazing! Cindy and Mark, happy 25th! What a wonderful couple you are.
Thank you Meredith! It was the best trip to Whole Foods I’ll ever have in my life!