Living Our Cinderella Story

Earlier this week we received an invite to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of our friends Matthew and Cindy from church.

This, I was told, was to be a fancy event. Now, I myself am not equipped for much "fanciness" so my friend Cindy let me come and raid her closet (she has a much better taste of clothes than I). Yes, I totally wore a dress of the bride to her anniversary party... I'm a mooch like that. :o)

It was a wonderful evening. Daniel and I got a sitter for little Judah and took the girls with. They had baby sitting in the room next door so we were able to enjoy a nice adult evening eating fancy food,...


sharing stories with friends, and looking back over the past 10 years of Matt and Cindy's life. Then towards the end of the night the kiddos came out and we had some boogy woogy time on the dance floor with them :-) All good clean fun of course.







I know the night was designed to be all about the happy couple, but as we left I couldn't help but feel like we cheated them just a little.

During my short visit to Cindy's house yesterday afternoon to pick a dress and some shoes, I made the comment to her that this was going to be one of the most fanciest things I had ever been to. I quickly explained a little bit of Daniel and my wedding story and how "not Cinderellaish" it was. I told her, "you know, I always wanted the Cinderella story beginning but it just didn't work out that way."

Well, as I sat there tonight listening to people stand and say very nice things about them and as I watched the video of their past 10 years, I couldn't help but reflect on our past 7 years. I sat there and thanked God for the amazing husband I have.

He is a man who loves God with his everything, he is an amazing protector, provider, teacher, father and companion. He is my very best friend and my biggest encouragement. I also thought of all the people in our lives, people whom we dearly love. I thought of how they have impacted our lives in such huge ways. I thought of all the friendships and relationships centered on the Love of Christ we have in our life.

I always thought that happily ever after began with a beautiful dress, a wonderful ceremony, a grooms side, and a brides side. I never thought that a happily ever after could began at Lavern's Wedding Chapel holding a baby carrier. But our amazing God knew that it could.

Don't get me wrong...

Oh how I long to see Daniel walk each of our girls down the isle. And it is always our prayer that our children follow close to the Lord and seek him always, not just with part of their life, but with their everything. BUT it is so amazing to know that even though we didn't make those healthy choices in the beginning, he has still given us our happily ever after.



We never vowed anything to each other nor did we do anything by the book; but tonight when he held me in his arms and we danced together with our little girls watching with blushed cheeks, I felt like Cinderella. God sent me my prince, He had a plan for us and I am forever thankful.

Happy 10th Anniversary Matthew and Cindy!
And Thank you for letting us share the evening with you.