How kind of God to have given us the opportunity to celebrate this day, may he be forever praised for his kindness.
These were the words ringing through the ears of all who attended that much anticipated day of celebration. After months of preparation, the day had finally come to meet the man of my prayers at the alter of grace.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind in marriage is intended by God for His glory. In His kindness and mercy He intends for the couple mutual joy; for help and comfort to be given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation and nurture of children in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Into this holy union, Mark Dutton and Leigh Ann Johnson now come to be joined.
On July 12, 2008, our beloved pastor uttered the words necessary to bond us together in holy matrimony. The Lord sealed it with a Holy Kiss and the wicks of our individual candles smoked while our unity burned brightly for all to see.
I vowed with tears burning my eyes to take Mark to be my husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage. I vowed to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as we both shall live.
With hands shaking and swollen from standing in a dress made for a woman, I made a covenant in the Name of God to take Mark to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better for worse, for richer for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This was my solemn vow. I slipped a ring on his finger as a symbol of my vow, and with rejoicing, confessed that with all that I am and all that I have I honor Mark, in the Name of God.
This is a vow I never regretted making.
Mark, you are the man of my prayers, a vessel of strength, wisdom, comfort and a companion in joy. We are not the same people who vowed to love each other to the end. But we have grown together in the peace and love of the Father. For this, I am eternally grateful. I will never fully understand why you chose me or why you keep me, but for the grace of God, I am content to have you. It is true, you drive me bonkers and your jokes are rarely funny, but you make me smile, you bring me joy, and you never cease to amaze me with your unconditional love and humility. God has been kind to answer my prayers, and I wouldn’t want to do life with anyone but you.
Happy Anniversary, Mark Dutton!
Thank you, dear readers, for the allowing me a self-indulgent moment to share my love of writing with the one person I love most in this world.
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About Leigh Ann
Happy Anniversary! So happy for you two. And thanks for the wisdom and advice you share from the years you have already been married!
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Thanks, Nikki! It has been a journey.
I am honored to be your husband, and I cherish the years we have had together. You are right that we are not the same people, but we both have grown closer together and closer to God. I know we both made the right decision to get married, because as we said 4 years ago, the best reason to be one is that we glorify God better together than we could ever do alone. I love you sooooo much and I am looking forward to the years to come… growing old together
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LEIGH ANN DUTTON!!!
Beautiful! What lovely memories. And congratulations on your anniversary!
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Thanks, Bonnie!
Happy anniversary!! You guys are so adorable! I’m so grateful for you guys and blessed by your desire to serve God!
Thanks, Leah! We’re a crazy bunch over here, but God is so kind to us!
Beautiful post! I love your joint desire to serve God. And you were such a pretty bride!
Thank you, Beth!
Happy Anniversary! What a sweet sweet post today! Glad to have examples of marriage like yours
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Happy Anniversary! A happy marriage with Christ at the center is such a blessing to behold! Just beautiful, I tell ya! May you have many more years filled with joy and laughter. And may you continue to cherish God and each other.
Thanks, Jeri Lynn! It is certainly a blessing!
Happy Anniversary!!
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Happy Belated Anniversary!
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I wish that I could say with such assurance that I had kept those wedding vows. I’m so thankful that they mean something to you and you think back to them. This is SO important. I said those same vows and then quickly forgot them-tucking them away in some corner of my mind. I was recently given an opportunity to renew my vows (not in a ceremony but at a conference) and it was with tears streaming down my face, barely able to speak that I took those vows seriously. Few people realize how important these vows are. Remembering them and choosing to honor them will save a lot of people great heartache and pain. So encouraged by your post.
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