a two year reflection & anniversary

Stefan and I got married when I was 18 ( less than a month from being 19 ) and he was 20. After dating for two years, we both felt like we were ready to get married the year I graduated high school. A question that I get asked quite a bit is the reason we decided to get married so young. "Won't you miss a college experience?" or "You're so young, why not wait?". Stefan and I both felt called to get married to each other - we were ready to fall into a true love; ready to serve each other in the sacrificial relationship of marriage by mirroring the love that Christ has for us. We didn't see marriage as something that was an end, but a beginning of a relationship full of joy and growth. For us, marriage was an opportunity to become the people we were always meant to be in Christ. These two years of marriage have been so joyful and humbling. Stefan is my best friend. A best friend that I am able to enjoy all things with, be encouraged through all things with, and be guide when I stumble (and to stumble with). 

Before we got married we read a book called "The Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller. I recommend it to everyone (single, engaged & already married). Within the book he paints a beautiful description of Christian marriage and the hope we have for ours- 

“When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him- or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience. To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.”

With our marriage we hope to be lights in the world, reflecting just a part of the love that Christ has for us.