As I look down at my wedding ring, and I can't help but think about how life can come full circle. Especially today.
Seven years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world!!! These past years of marriage have been filled with so much love and laughter (who doesn't love living with their very best friend in the world!). But as you all know, we don't always grow strongest in the easy, happy times. It takes learning to love, respect, and cherish each other through differences of opinions and difficult, real life situations to give a relationship enduring strength. Yep, Jeff is the real deal. He is without a doubt, a gift--a blessing given to me by God and I will never take who he is and how he loves me for granted.

Because today is not only my wedding anniversary, but my I'M ALIVE anniversary. On August 10, 2008, I lay unconscious in my hallway floor. I had been beaten and strangled---left for dead by the monster I was married to. Nearly 100 paintings had been slashed by a butcher knife. Not only my artwork, but everything in my life was destroyed in that instant.

You may wonder with all the other 364 days in the year, why would I ever choose the attempted murder date as my wedding date. You may ask, why in the world would I want to associate those two things together? Don't you just want to forget the past?

Well, it all goes back to that circle. I asked God, how will I ever LIVE again? I did not believe I could live without fear. I knew I would never live without reliving the terror I had experienced. But God had other plans for this girl. I didn't die that day in my hallway floor. He led me slowly through darkness and into the light. I faithfully clung to His hand, and He led me to hope. And as I healed, He led me to love. No, not Jeff. Jeff isn't the love that rescued me. It's the love and respect I have for myself that saved me. And after that, I was whole enough to truly love someone else. That's when I met my Jeff.

I will never forget what happened to me 12 years ago. The terror and pain and brokenness of that day doesn't define me. But FAITH, HOPE and LOVE do. And in my life, and in my marriage, My business-I am living!

Happy 7 year Anniversary to the love of my life!! Thank you for loving me so much that MY dreams have become YOUR dreams. Thank you for LIVING LIFE with me!!!

Isaiah 61:3
“He will and provide for those who grieve
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”