Friday, October 24, 2014

Happy Birthday to Him Whom My Soul Loves

I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go…

Song of Solomon 3:4 (selected portion)

My Valentine for 54 years

Happy birthday today to my husband Russell. Of his 69 years celebrated today, I love loved him for 55. Yes, I fell in love with him when he was 14. I was 12. True story. Of his 69 years, we have been married 49.

He is the best husband in the world. God gave him to me. God must be “especially fond” of me. That He is.

My deepest wish for my granddaughters is that they would follow God’s plan for their spouse and ultimately be blessed with a man like mine. My deepest wish for my grandsons is that they be like their grandfather, a strong man of God, a “man of steel and velvet,” who loves unconditionally, and with biblical proportions.

Russell and Barbara small framed photos

Russ Curt Dave

Russell is the oldest of four, two brothers and a sister. He and his brothers Curtiss and David must have been quite a handful for their mom! “All boy,” that’s what they were, for sure.

Curt Dave Russ at Scotts

Russell junior 1962 guard 257 points all year

High School Basketball

 

Russell's studio senior  hs picture 1963

High School Senior 1963

 

Bride and Groom

Our Wedding 1965

 

Russ at supply whse 1-13 DaNang

USMC Officer 1967-1970
(Viet Nam 1968-1969)

 

1973 Oct Family of 4

Two children: Mark (1970) and Sharida (1971)

 

Conner 1996-025

First three grandchildren: Tory Elise (1993) Alyssa Megan (1993) and Conner Russell (1995)

 

DSCN3194

Fourth grandchild: Dawson James (2006)

 

IMG_5966

Our family Christmas 2013, L to R: Barbara, Russell, Sharida, Alyssa, Kristy, Conner, Tory, Mark, and Dawson in front.

Even if I didn’t have my own heart as a measuring stick for the picture of love that is this man, I have the verses in First Corinthians that define love—and that describe him—him whom my soul loves.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. – I Corinthians

Happy Birthday, Honey, and thank you for loving me even when I am not loveable, for putting up with all my faults, and especially for wearing those rose-colored glasses through which your view of me has been filtered for 55 years! I love you.

7 comments:

Mark Ford said...

Very well said (and pictured) and very much deserved. So many look up to him, and yet he is humble. I'm sure he is very blessed by this tribute.

Curtiss said...

I think Dolly has those same glasses.

Kristy said...

Barbara, I feel certain you are somehow related to Luke in the Bible. I appreciate your special flare for recording and preserving history as well as celebrating special people and events. Russell is one of the most special people I've ever known. Kind, giving, gracious and patient. Tough, strong and a true man of God. Happy Birthday Russell!

jasann said...

well spoken Barbara, it is wonderful to have the love of a good man, especially for all those years, and to be cherished as you are. It says a lot to the love you have for one another, congratulations and Happy Birthday to your man. I lost my husband in 2012 and he was a loving and good man too!!! we were married also in 1965 and I miss him every day, Please cherish every day you have with your husband, lots of hugs, Jasmine

Barbara said...

Thanks for the wonderful comments, everyone. Jasmine, your comments are very meaningful to me. I know it must have been difficult for you to write, and I appreciate that you took the effort to remind me to cherish the time with my husband. Bless you.

Edie Edie said...

Barbara, I love the story line you posted today about your life with your husband of 49 years and love of your life for 55. It is a beautiful story. I just lost my soul mate 2 weeks ago very unexpectedly after 54 (married 53)years. If it were not for God in my life and the prayers of my family and friends, I wouldn't have made it; I hurt so bad but I have peace in knowing where he is. Yes, cherish every moment you have together.
Happy Birthday to your husband.

Barbara said...

Edie, I am so sorry for your loss, and I thank you so much for sharing your experience here on my blog. I can't imagine the pain you are sufering, and I am praying for you.