The Bride of My Youth

My wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on June the 7th. The Saturday prior, our six children planned a surprise party for us and we were blessed with sweet fellowship and a legacy of love. This past Monday, I surprised my wife with a two day trip to Warm Springs and a stay at one of the same places we had visited on our honeymoon 25 years earlier. Warm Springs has long been a destination for Virginia Gentleman and ladies, including Thomas Jefferson and Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lee. It is a breathtakingly beautiful part of the country. (http://www.discoverbath.com/) Men, you want to be a hero to your wife? Try this – I surprised my wife by renting a brand new convertible Chrysler Sebring, complete with a single white rose, and a cooler full of sparkling cider, fresh fruit, and flavored water. I then took her on a 70 mile ride through some of the most remote and beautiful country roads in Western Virginia; passing farms, clear mountain streams, and simply enjoying God’s creation. We arrived at our destination in Warm Springs, The Inn at Gristmill Square - http://www.gristmillsquare.com/ - where exactly 25 years earlier I had made a promise to my beautiful bride. At that time, we visited the Waterwheel Restaurant rather broke, but I promised her I would bring her back one day and we would enjoy a candlelight supper in the old mill. I kept my promise, albeit 25 years later! She was thrilled! The next morning, I walked her across the old bridge which spans the stream running by the restored mill and sat her down under a grove of trees next to the stream. There, I placed on her still beautiful left hand a diamond ring and renewed my love and commitment to her. Whoa! Am I the romantic or what!?! She was in heaven and I have never loved the bride of my youth more than I do now. Thank God for His mercies and grace.