Today my wife and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. We have experienced many good days and bad days, but we have shared them together. We share our lives in the hope to be loved, understood, appreciated, and accepted by another human being. We expose our weaknesses, strengths, insecurities, 'likes,' and dislikes.

We want someone in our lives that will stand by us through the good, bad, and VERY ugly...that will love us in spite of the crazy things we say and do...and will stand by our side through it all...til' death or the Lord's return.

Over the years, God has been teaching me about unconditional love within marriage. I understood the definition of 'unconditional love,' but its application often eluded me. I wanted my wife to be like me, make decisions like me, and do all that I asked...she required the same. In the beginning, we struggled to 'force' our will upon one another, but this was far from what God wanted.

God wanted us to love one another 'as is.' He wanted me to love my wife as I love myself and to love her as Christ has loved the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). With each day I strive to love her in this capacity for this is what she deserves from me.

I thank God for allowing me to have my wife. She is a precious gift that deserves my love and commitment.