How long has it been?
by Steve Switzer
18 years, 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 12 hours and 34 minutes…but who's counting?
Many a man (including yours truly) has found himself at an uncomfortable loss for words when confronted with this familiar question, "So, how long have you been married?" The crowd grows silent, the sound of crickets are heard, all eyes are suddenly turned on him (especially the glaring eyes of his beloved). After a brief pause that seems to last forever, he responds cleverly with, "Not nearly long enough!" or "It seems like it was only yesterday!" — Of course, the other infamous question involves the actual date of the blessed event, but that's another story.
It is somewhat of a mystery why many men can remember the box scores of their favorite sports team since childhood, but they seem to draw a blank when it comes to remembering how long they've been married to "the woman of their dreams." But even if the date does escape me, I know that I could never forget the moments we've shared in "18 plus" years of marriage. So far, I can remember times when we laughed so hard that it hurt. There have been times when I, the strong he-man, cried uncontrollably in the loving arms of my best friend. When I stop and think about it, there has literally never been a dull moment in our marriage journey, and we're really just getting started.
I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist, David, "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) I think he is basically saying, "life is brief, and full of wonderful opportunities, so cherish each and every day you have." I also see this applying to the part of my life that I am sharing with my special friend and wife, Shelley. I believe that the better part of the last nineteen years of my life has been "a Gift within a Gift." So, every once in a while I stop and "number the days—cherish the days" of my marriage. Just as in life there are good days and bad days, in this relationship, there are definitely ups and downs. But every time I honestly consider the precious gift from God in the person of my wife, I gain a bit more wisdom. I have come to realize and agree completely with the words of Solomon in Proverbs, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22)
It is hard to believe sometimes that we've been married almost nineteen years. It really does seem just like yesterday that it all began. While at the same time, I feel like we've been married forever. It is hard to remember a time without her. I cherish the days, each and every one of them, as the gift that they are from God.
So, who's counting the days? I guess I am. There have been 6,720 of them, and I'm still counting—numbering—cherishing each and every one of them.
By the way, the date was December 28th. Honestly, some things you just never forget!
