Dine and Dish

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A Love Letter for 13 Years

13 Year Anniversary Wedding Picture

There was a time in my life where I wrote prolific love letters… deep and meaningful words spoken from the heart. Then, after a failed first marriage, I came face to face with a box of letters I had written. Each page, raw, real and vulnerable, laid out there to remind me how exposed I had let my heart become through words. I can remember so clearly, sitting on the floor of my bedroom, reading each letter, sobbing at what was and what would never be again and feeling nakedly exposed and so vulnerable.

I was young…really young and was convinced any vision of a happily married life was over. I remember crying to my sister the first time I had to put a check mark on a form asking whether I was “married, divorced or widowed”.  23 and already divorced. Who would want me now?

Thankfully, God had very specific plans for me… the first marriage, the divorce… those and every relationship I had even prior to that led me to the man I ended up marrying 13 years ago today. And you know what? Despite the hurt and heartache each relationship yielded, I would gladly do it all over again if it led me to the man I am now married to. For, because of him, I am eternally blessed.

Photo courtesy of my talented friend, Jennifer of Jennifer Mullinax Photography.

So, to my husband, who has never received a love letter from me, but deserves a box full, I want you and the world to know that I love you more than words can say. You are the answer to my prayers, and each and every day I am extremely thankful that you chose me to be your bride. I love the life we have together… it has not always been rosy, but even through our darkest times, I know that we are meant to be together and that our love is as real as it comes.

Marriage is full of peaks and valleys, I now know that. I’m glad you are there to hold me during both.

Thank you for your patience, your kindness and most of all for being my best friend.

I am ever grateful to have you as my partner in this life. Happy 13th Anniversary!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Kathryn says

    Happy anniversary, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and it sounds like the relationship you have with your husband is so strong and true. I wish you many, many more happy years together.

  3. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    Happy Anniversary my friend! You are a huge inspiration – personally and professionally. We just celebrated our 7th Anniversary and I know it isn’t always roses and butterflies. Congrats on a huge milestone!

  5. Amy Tong says

    Happy anniversary! That’s the sweetest love letter. 🙂 I am happy for you that your prayer is answered! You two look wonderful and beautiful together. Wish you many many more 13 years to come.

  6. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says

    Happy Anniversary, Nick & Kristen! I could have written something similar.. a great heartbreak led me to James, and I’d have never met him if it weren’t for that first heartbreak – literally! They were friends!

    I’m so glad for you both, and for your kids, that you hold the love you share so preciously. It makes all the difference.

  10. Shanna says

    This is beautiful, Kristen. It is so good to take the time and thought to articulate love to our spouses and to do it publicly, too. Happy anniversary to you and your husband — may God give you many more to come. : )

  18. Kim says

    Love the honesty. thanks for sharing. being real and investing in relationships is what it is all about. praise God for his perfect plan.

  19. Paula says

    Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful love letter to your husband. You make a beautiful couple and best wishes for many more years of happiness together.

    Life often takes on down roads that we sometimes feel we would have rather not had to travel. However, inevitably, they always lead us, through the hills and valleys, the light and darkness to exactly where we were meant to be.

  22. Linda | The Urban Mrs says

    This is so sweet – I’m sure you’re truly blessed. Happy anniversary and cheers to the journey of happiness and endless love.

  23. Heather says

    What a beautifully written post. Although I have always known it, I have begun to truly believe, that everything absolutely happens for a reason. The ups, the downs, the good and the bad–God has a plan and everything is apart of it. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary and here is to many, many, many more! 🙂

  29. Ali | Gimme Some Oven says

    Ahh – totally made me tear up on my lunchbreak. (And definitely when I saw his comment above.)

    I love this, and love how you share your heart. He’s a lucky guy to have you by his side. Wishing you both many more years of joy ahead!

  33. Stacy Rethlake says

    I think sometimes actions are just as great as kind words. To one of the most wonderful, heartfelt, genuine couples I know. Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness. Best wishes!

  38. Pat Wogan says

    When you think back about it, the heartache you went through made you more able to appreciate Nick. When you think back about it, the “coincidence” of Peggy was of God’s making. When you think back about it, you realize that Nick was the best thing that ever happened to you! Dad and I shared your heartache and we shared your joy. Remember your list of things you made up. If I remember, Nick had all the qualities on that list…which included things like “likes Chinese food”…but 2. He wasn’t older than you and I don’t remember the other one. I thank God for bringing Nick into your life! Nick is a great guy and a wonderful husband and father. You are truly blessed!

  40. Nancy Wyatt says

    What a gorgeous couple you two make! Love how I can truly feel just how much you love him through your words here and in other blog posts. Happy Anniversary my friend!! You were a beautiful bride then and now! Hugs from Conroe, TX

  44. Laurie Nestler Williams says

    Happy Anniversary to two wonderful people! This is an absolutely beautiful love letter which reminded me how lucky I am to have gotten to know you both. But it also made me stop to think how blessed I am in my life and marriage as well! Celebrate your special day today and here’s to many more years of love and friendship ahead – Cheers!

  45. Laurie Nestler Williams says

    Happy Anniversary to two wonderful people! This is an absolutely beautiful love letter which reminded me how lucky I am to have gotten to know you both. But it also made me stop to think how blessed I am in my life and marriage as well! Celebrate your special day today and here’s to many more years of love and friendship ahead – Cheers!

  46. Kathy Essmiller says

    Salads, mom. That was the other thing. He didn’t love salads. But it seems to be working anyway..:-) Happy Anniversary! And great pic!

  50. Kristi C. (@lov2read68) says

    Happy Anniversary Kristen! Isn’t it amazing how God’s plans work out? It’s usually not in the way or the timeframe that we want or expect. Wishing you many more years to come!

  51. Les in NE says

    Despite the hurt and heartache each relationship yielded, I would gladly do it all over again if it led me to the man I am now married to. For, because of him, I am eternally blessed.

    This is my story, too. Married at 19 (no, I wasn’t pregnant!) to my boyfriend of 3 years. Became a mother at 22. Divorced at 23. Remarried to the love of my life and we just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. Twu wuv! 🙂

    Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. Here’s to many, many more years of love & laughter.

  52. Jackie Clayton Davis says

    Happy, happy anniversary. God has a plan. You both are so blessed to have found each other and created this wonderful family together. Enjoy!

  53. Jackie Clayton Davis says

    Happy, happy anniversary. God has a plan. You both are so blessed to have found each other and created this wonderful family together. Enjoy!

  55. Angie Jerde says

    Wow, what an honest and amazing post. I too had a short lived first marriage, so I can completely relate. God did have a plan for you as well as for me. I will celebrate my 13 year anniversary in a few short months. Many many blessings to you and your family.

  56. Maureen says

    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Happy Anniversary to you and Nick!

  66. Denise says

    Happy Anniversary to you both (a day late). Love works in mysterious ways. I, too, have been in the shoes you walked. All those broken hearts were lessons and the path to the man I love and can call my partner. I believe if there were not dark moments, we would not grow. One cannot live alone pink colored clouds!

  67. Denise says

    Happy Anniversary to you both (a day late). Love works in mysterious ways. I, too, have been in the shoes you walked. All those broken hearts were lessons and the path to the man I love and can call my partner. I believe if there were not dark moments, we would not grow. One cannot live alone pink colored clouds!

  70. fabiola@notjustbaked says

    This is beautiful. I have teary eyes, happy teary eyes. I love those tears. You two look perfect together and I am so happy you found your joy with him. And thank you for your honesty and love letter. So awesome!

  72. Ashley says

    I’m late to the party, but I just have to say how much I love this — and how much I love your wedding look. It was timeless. I’ve been married a year and I hope I can say the same thing when I look back in another 12. 🙂

  73. Ashley says

    Just wanted to say how much I love this post and how much I love your wedding look. It was timeless. I don’t think anyone would ever look at this photo and say, “Oh, that was 1999.”
    I hope that in 2024, no one looks at our photos and goes, “Oh, that was 2011.”
    Happy anniversary!

  74. JulieD says

    Time got away from me and I have been meaning to wish you a wonderful anniversary!! You’re a beautiful person and I’m thankful you’re my friend!

  75. Eva says

    Just teared up reading this. What a beautiful and honest post, wonderfully well-written. Congratulations to you and your husband for so many happy years together.

  76. Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says

    Happy anniversary! What a touching letter. I think that any of us who have gone through deeply heartbreaking breakups wonder what the heck God was thinking…but He always has a plan for us that is far greater than any we could piece together for ourselves. God continue to bless you and your husband (He already has!). xoxo

Trackbacks

  3. […] I first met Kristen, it was via Twitter. Then, I had read her post, A Love Letter For 13 Years, and tweeted to her stating that her post made me cry. (Well, it did. Read it yourself and tell me […]

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