In twenty-two years of marriage, David and I have learned quite a lot.
When we began, I was the firecracker and he was the calmer of the two of us. Over the last two-plus decades we have really wore off on each other, and now the things that could send me richter no longer bother me…and things he used let slide — he no longer does.
We tried to fit our marriage into the stereotypical conservative model, and discovered that while MOST of what works for others, works for us…some of it just doesn’t. And that’s ok. It’s our marriage.
We have gone through some really challenging times. Those seasons grew us, and truthfully made me fall more in love with him. We found out what we are made of, and at the end of the day the things that really mattered most.
We’ve dealt with family pressure, money pressure, career challenges, tough times with our kids, and we’ve had incredible highs, and blessings, and been overwhelmed at the goodness and graciousness of our God. We’ve delved deeper into our faith and discovered a reality in God and the gift of salvation that apart from each other I think we would have never fully experienced. We’ve walked through some of the craziest stories and I have witnessed my husband minister to people in ways that are just mind-blowing. It’s been a heck of a ride and I just don’t know who else I could have ever walked through this life with but him.
He’s a risk-taker, bet-the-farm-kinda-man that is willing to go above and beyond to make his family meet their dreams. He puts himself last and loves like crazy and is the best example of a husband that any man could be to 10 daughters. He lets his wife and girls be who they are and fiercely loves and protects each one of us while simultaneously teaching our boys what it looks like to work as hard as a dog and serve their family. He never lets those boys even look sideways at a sister or their mother and he ruff-and-tumbles them till they are tough as nails.
So here’s to 22 years of marriage and 23 years of life together. It’s amazing that we made the decision to get married after only knowing each other for 10 days…but like I said, he’s a risk-taker. And I bet if you asked him, he’d tell you I’m the best risk he ever took.
Like-wise ‘pardner. I love you like mad.
Jeni Bonell says
Aww, you two are so cute together
You can see the love you have for one another and the love you have for your family
But above all, you are testimony that if you love “big” in God you will be blessed in your life.
Happy Anniversary David and Lyette
I love that you guys decided to get married after 10 days,
my hubby proposed after just 2 weeks of dating and here we are 27 years married and 16 kids later too
Well done and God bless
Lyette Reback says
Ahhhh, my sister from Down Under! God bless you and yours and I am so glad we have become friends across the oceans! Thank you so much and God bless you and your crew! xoxox
Amanda says
Happy Anniversary to two very special people! Such an example and inspiration to us and many more! Love you.
Lyette Reback says
Thank you dear friend! love you!
Michelle Wiginton says
What a lovely “love” letter…may you continue to be blessed mightily!
Lyette Reback says
Thank you Michelle! xoxo
Pamela says
Happy Anniversary!! Keep us all updated on the impending arrival of the newest Reback!
Lyette Reback says
Definitely will! xoxo
Dawn Hutchins says
Happy Anniversary to you both!! Our similarities keep popping up! We were married 7/31/93.
And if my body wouldn’t have rebelled, we’d have many more than our 9 children!! I am so glad that our husbands and children have become great friends. One day it’ll be our turn, mama! Praying for you and little Reback. Can’t wait to meet the precious little one. Enjoy your day and keep on staying madly in love!!
Lyette Reback says
Thank you Dawn, bless you and your family!
Rachel says
This is beautiful. So happy for you guys!
Roxie says
My parents met each other when my father dialed a wrong number. He was a young Marine, coming home on emergency leave because my grandfather was very ill. This was 1950. People traveled by train. My father was stationed at Camp Pendelliton Ca. He had a lay over in Houston TX. His buddy lived in Houston. He tried to call his friend and got THE WRONG number. My mother answered and talked to him, telling him he sounded “cute” etc. Well, one thing led to another, and by the time my father had to return to Ca. (13 days later) they were married. What is interesting is that both of them were engaged to someone else. A year and 5 months after they met I was born. My mother had a wicket sense of humor. She named me Roxanne after the other woman my father had been engaged to. Their marriage lasted 56 years. Sadly we last my father in 2004 to cancer. My mother lived 8 years longer. She died 1 day shy of their 64th anniversary.
I am married 43 years to the man of my dreams. I tell everyone he is my ‘better half’ and it is true. He makes me a better person. I love him so much.