Do you love to celebrate?
I do.
Josh and I were married on September 11th, 1999. Yes, I know… sad, sad day. But in 1999 it wasn’t a sad day, it was the happiest of days.
Our 20-year anniversary is coming and you better believe we are going to celebrate. We are planning a big trip—a repeat honeymoon to some beautiful place… yet to be decided.
But the real truth is that we celebrate every day. We have this silly thing we do. You know some people have a special word or sign. We just look at the clock.
Anytime it reads 9:11 we celebrate! If we’re both home—we smooch (while the kids make groaning sounds and hide their eyes). If Josh is at work I send him a text and when I forget he always seems to remember. Every day I have two chances to celebrate and tell Josh how much I love him.
9:11… it’s when I married my sweet man, it’s when I became a Lee. But our love started growing long before 9/11.
Bear with me as I share the story.
It all started one January day in my dorm room. We had been eating in the dining hall with our friends and suddenly realized that the cafeteria was empty. We had shut the place down. The tables were being wiped clean, but we were still talking and laughing. He walked me to my room. I invited him in, and then I read him a book.
The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
Have you read it?
The chorus goes like this…
“Oh I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece
I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece
Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
Lookin’ for my missin’ piece.”
It’s one of my favorite books. I’ve had it since I was four—when Dean Butler (Almanzo) gave it to my sister and me for Christmas.
It was sitting on my shelf and I couldn’t help myself. What can I say? I was a bit bold trying to secure his affections.
That night we talked about our missing pieces and that maybe I could fill his empty space and he could fill mine. We spent time together after that night, just like the pac-man rolling down the road feeling complete.
Today is that special January day when it all started—January 31st. We gave love a whirl and it has been the most amazing gift. The years have flown by with ups and downs. Times where our perspectives aligned and others when they didn’t. After nearly 20 years of marriage, two kiddos, and brain surgery we have experienced moments of joy and then days when the sorrow felt too overwhelming to go on.
What we have discovered could have been learned that first night—22 years ago within the pages of The Missing Piece.
No one can fill the empty space inside of us. We may try all sorts of things to fit—people, experiences, or possessions. They may work for a short time, but before long those things will fail you. At times our voices no longer can sing!
The only One who fits perfectly in your soul is the One who made you. He put that hole in your heart on purpose—so that you would go looking for Him. When you find Him, the celebration is never over. And the best part about finding God is that the song in your heart only gets louder and more clear.
What are you trying to stuff in that holy space, the part of you that only God can fill?
Open your heart.
Welcome Him in.
Celebrate with a song on your lips.
Wendi
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