We had the privilege of traveling to Playa Mujeres to celebrate our 20th anniversary (the week prior). On the day of, Brandi spent almost the whole day creating a virtual photo album of our ~25 years together and posted it on Facebook with a really special message. She is so good with words and artistic presentation! That meant a lot to me. I hope to live up to what she said about me.
We didn't celebrate my 40th birthday last year because of COVID, and this past week, I had been pretty discouraged, in part due to missing that celebration. But Brandi surprised me with a 40th birthday party on my last day as a 40 year-old, and that means a whole lot to me. A number of friends and students came on short notice, including my parents and my brother, Jeremy. That meant a lot to me.
We took an overnight trip to Ruidoso this weekend, and we ended up hiking Ski Apache (9,600 feet to 11,500 feet, ~7.5 miles in 4 hrs, round-trip). I've wanted to do that since I was a kid. Dream fulfilled. I thought it was funny that at the beginning of the hike, Brandi reminded me that I wasn't hiking with Brandon, so I focused on enjoying the journey and not worrying about the destination. I was genuinely content with not making it to the top. But after a couple of hours of hiking, when I suggested that we hike for 15 minutes more and then descend, it was actually Brandi who urged us on to the top. (And Katelyn, who led the last leg to the summit.)
I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with Brandi, the wife of my youth. What a privilege!
Father, thank you for Brandi. Thank you for her partnership and the way you speak through her to encourage, strengthen, and guide me. Holy Spirit, please continue to grow us together with you in love, unity, intimacy, and calling. I love you.
