Lanette Must Be Crazy!
Thirty years ago on September 12, 1983, Lanette Irene Sanford had what can only be described as a HUGE lapse of judgment, and followed through with our wedding. One of her sisters had tried to talk her out of it, but she persisted!
Over the years we have raised two children, been on staff at numerous churches, raised a ton of dogs, cats, hamlobsters and fish.
In thirty years we have had hundreds of arguments, a few sleepless nights and more fun than two people should legally be allowed to have.
My wife is truly my best friend. When I say that there is nobody else on this planet that I would rather spend time with, I mean it with all my heart. Other than church’s Third Option Men outings, I don’t need a night out with the boys. I don’t need or want to be one of those guys who will do anything to stay away from home. Why would I want to spend time with a bunch of ugly men when I can spend it with a beautiful woman? I don’t have any evidence, but I am positive she’s a better kisser than any of them, too!
There have been ups and downs in our relationship. Over thirty years we have both felt less than hospitable to the other on more than a few occasions. Yet, through it all, we remained committed to one another. At times, only our commitment to God, our kids and each other kept us going. But we kept going. It was all we knew to do.
I don’t know what Lanette was thinking when she walked down the aisle at Beaumont First Assembly 30 years ago. I can’t imagine that marrying a chubby guy with a Pinto was all that exciting, yet she said, “I do.” And she did. And she still does.
My goal in life is to let this woman know every day how vital she is to my existence. I cannot picture my life without her, nor do I want to. Without her I can only imagine a life of endless lonely evenings, dinners alone and dogs and fish that don’t get fed. I can’t imagine waking up in the morning and having her side of the bed empty.
Hopefully, my two sons have seen at least a few good things in my treatment of their mom. I have said more than once that I may not ever be the richest guy in town, but if my boys aspire to be husbands to their wives, like I am to mine, then I am rich indeed.
Over the years I have made more mistakes than I can count and would be embarrassed to remember. I can’t go back and undo those things, so I live each day to make up for them.
Being with Lanette has made me a better man. I try to be the kind of man she deserves, and I am better for it. Left to my own devices I would be a step above a barbarian, and probably not a very big step at that! The man that I should be and strive to be is a guy that I like. He’s a lot nicer than “Caveman Jerry.”
Proverbs 18:22 says, “Find a good spouse, you find a good life – and even more: the favor of God!” I don’t know why God blessed me, I just know that I found a good spouse, a good life, and God’s favor all wrapped up in a cute blonde. Thanks, baby, I love you more than you will ever know.
Way over-chicked… Jerry