27 years and our love grows stronger by the day…

Happy Family – May 1993

Today is my 27th Wedding Anniversary. 


It has been a challenging year for us, both losing our Courtney and with Jerry’s job and our fiancees, but God has never forsaken us. 


Never once. 


When Jerry and I met we were young and felt like we could conquer the world. Now we are older and at times feel a little conquered by the world. Yet, our love and devotion to God and one another has grown over the years. 


As God has shown us oceans and oceans of mercy, we have shown each other the same. Marriage is not an easy thing these days. Heck, let’s face it, it’s never been an easy thing.  Love is a choice I make every single day of my life. Somedays it’s a grand sweeping love and other it’s a trickle from a very blocked faucet. Blocked with selfishness and laziness. 

siblings 1997

Marriage is a partnership of two people who place the needs of the other before their own. God is the lead counselor and advisor. We are asked to be in partnership with Him as well, so we can do all he has asked us to to do while here on this earth. 


This year God asked us to give our daughter back to him. After all, she was only ours for a little while. So we did and our hearts are forever broken without Courtney in our arms. Yet there is a peace of mind and heart that she is with her Beloved Jesus for an eternity having finished her race with grace and strength. We console ourselves with the oceans and oceans of mercy pouring forth from the side of our Crucified Lord. It is a healing balm to our hearts, knowing that one day, please God, we will be together again. 


Until then we love each other, we love our son, we love our family and friends, we love our parish community and we love you here in this space and all those whom God brings to our door. 

“New” family photos – June 2015

Jerry, 
My beloved husband and best friend…I love you more today than I ever thought was possible all those years ago when we recited our vows to one another. We have hit many peaks and valleys in this journey together. You have held my hand and encouraged me to chase my dreams and I have done the same for you. It’s what we do best. We are and always have been a team, with God as our Head Coach and a sideline of awesome cheerleaders in our family and friends. 


We created a beautiful family together. This past year we held our daughter for the last time this side of heaven and we gathered our son close as the three of us gave her back to God. It was the hardest day of our married life, yet one of the most beautiful. Our Courtney is with us this day and always. We are still and will always remain a family of four. 


Our marriage has endured much my love, but you have remained constant in your love for me and I in my love be for you. It is a choice we make freely and fully, every day, until death parts us. Know that my love grows in leaps and bounds for you as we continue this walk together. 


Tonight there will be no fancy restaurant to dine at, no candles lit or gifts exchanged. It will be you and me, a beer in one hand and a sweet tea in the other. It will be us…nothing else is needed to make this moment in time special. No flowers are required, sparky things or fancy words. 


I just need you by my side and God in the lead and ALL will be well. 


Happy Anniversary JerBear!! ‬ 
‪#‎lovealwayswins‬

Our new goal is $3,209.00 which will eliminate the balance on a credit card used for Courtney’s PT, OT and Feeding therapies and supplies used over the last five years. We have raised $720 of it so far. Only $2489.00 to go to pay this first one off. If we can raise the full amount, we can pay it off and be that much closer to our larger goal. One thing at a time. Thank you so much for your help. 


The entire medical debt is extensive, now approx. $67,3000. It’s a lot and will take years to whittle down. Anything helps. Anything. So, I will keep it at the bottom of my posts for awhile. You all have already given so much to our family. Our prayers are with you and we are so very grateful. We can never repay that kindness. So thank you…just thank you. If you would like our mailing address, please just email me at mary_romance@cox.net and I will send it.