Sweet Sixteen

Today is the sixteenth anniversary of my marriage to the most wonderful, most patient, and most loving wife a man could have, my darling Maria.  It was a beautiful early autumn morning when I saw my wife being escorted down the aisle by her mother.  They say there is nothing so beautiful as a bride on her wedding day, and that was no less true for Maria.  She was radiant.

There I stood, waiting at the alter with my cousin and best man, for my bride to be to make her way toward my side.  She has been there – at my side – ever since through thick and thin.  And, I don’t think it’s stretching the truth one bit to say I am the luckiest man alive.  I still can’t believe where the time has gone.  We have reached incredible heights and gone through our share of tough ordeals.  Life is the ultimate test to a marriage and while our commitment to one another may have been tested, I thank the good Lord it has never failed.

Our wedding song happens to be the last song Buddy Holly ever recorded before he went on his famous winter tour of 1959: True Love Ways.  Sixteen years later, the words still ring as true as they did that October day in 1994.

Just you know why
Why you and I
Will by and by
Know true love ways.

Sometimes we'll sigh
Sometimes we'll cry
And we'll know why
Just you and I
Know true love ways.

Throughout the days
Our true love ways
Will bring us joy to share
With those who really care.

Sometimes we'll sigh
Sometimes we'll cry
And we'll know why
Just you and I
Know true love ways.

Throughout the days
Our true love ways
Will bring us joy to share
With those who really care.

Sometimes we'll sigh
Sometimes we'll cry
And we'll know why
Just you and I
Know true love ways.

Happy anniversary, sweetheart.  I love you, truly.