Love, and the light of my life (My Sacred Life, day 24)

We met ten years ago through a set of circumstances, coincidences and serendipity which, added together, can only be termed The Miracle. This was before blogging was big, and we began communicating as a result of an internet forum where people left their own opinions on any topic raised. Appropriately, it was a forum based on the book, "The Unimaginable Life" which Kenny Loggins wrote with his then-wife Julia. Despite the fact that they are no longer together, we still heartily recommend the book. We all can have Big Love!

At the time, we were about 1500 miles apart. Over a period of only weeks, we grew together in spirit and knew that those miles would soon be traversed. They were, in late February of 1998 (The Trip--a rented truck, us, and an old dachshund girl who was in charge). We wed in May of 1999.

While we were not possessed of young bodies any longer, we ran with our romance just like teenagers. We needed to get from being teenagers in love to married 40-somethings in about 18 months, that's all. No problem.

To the credit of all, my four daughters, ages 6, 8, 10, and 12 at the time, and my wife have grown to accept and love each other. It hasn't always been easy, but no one ever gave up. Persistence is its own reward. Now, with two in college and two in high school, we are in that stage of life when we bribe, cajole, and threaten in order to see them once in a great long while.

This photo was taken by our server at a great Italian restaurant in Manistee, Michigan: Tuscan Grille. It was the end of an adventure we never intended to take, as we looked for a place to eat that evening two days ago. Suffice it to say that we went through several options before we ended up where we did, and we were perfectly happy with how our evening turned out. Don't ask how much ice cream we ate at House of Flavors after dinner as we returned to Ludington where we are vacationing.

Our journey together, the greater journey, has been jam-packed with adventure even when we spend months quietly at home. Our relationship continues to grow and transform who we are as a couple and as individuals. It is the opening of our hearts to each other which adds richness and depth to our lives, as well as telling the universe that we are ready for, and anticipating with glee, the next adventure.

My wife, my love, my best friend...all in one amazing, powerful, beautiful and sensitive person, Julia Rogers Hamrick. She is my jewel.