To Jesse

10 years ago today I was nervously sitting as my hair was done and makeup was applied...as the white gown went over my head and the veil was clipped to my hair.  After waiting for what seemed like to me the longest time ever in all my 19 years, my wedding day had arrived.  As the time for the ceremony grew near, the reality of what I was doing became more and more clear; to pledge forever to this man who had captured my heart as a 16 year old girl.  Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous.

I shouldn't have been.

Today, Jesse and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage.  I'm still trying to figure out how we've had time for an entire decade to pass, but here we are...4 babies and 10 years later...and I'm more in love with my man than ever before.

We've had so many memories together...happy, sad, funny, mad.  Jess, remember when ___ spent the night with us and had a tummy ache and what happened then?  I'll never forget that...and I wonder if the neighbors ever missed that shovel?  Remember when the toilet  broke and water started spraying everywhere?  Not so funny at the time, but I bet our faces and panic would have been comical to see!  When I look back, I remember so many funny things.  And, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for teaching me that life is fun...funny even, and that my serious self can laugh - at myself or the situation or along with you.  We've laughed a lot over the years.

As we talked last night, you told me you were glad it was me.  I'm glad, too.  Because there isn't anyone else I want to travel this journey with but you.  I remember when we found out that Ayden, Landon, Camden, and Laney Kate were each on their way.  I remember when each of them arrived.  When we brought Ayden home and weren't really sure what we were doing but figured it out together.  Then a little brother for him in Landon.  Our two surprises, first Camden and then Laney Kate.  I couldn't ask for a better Daddy for them.  Thank you for loving them.

But, more than anything, thank you for loving the Lord.  As we face our future, you encourage me to seek the Lord for myself, but you set an example for me to follow.  Your passion for Jesus is the best thing about you.  I don't know if I've ever told you this, but one of my favorite things to do is to watch you worship.  Your surrender and sincerity and desire to serve and be pleasing to the Lord are evident in your life anyway, but even more so in your worship.  I know that worship is a passion we both have and that we both believe worship isn't something we do when we sing, but a lifestyle we live.  And you do.  Your life is a life of worship.  So many times you pray that you would bring honor and glory only to the Lord.  And you do.

There are so many things to share...so many things to remember - more than I could ever write about.  But, you, Jesse LeRoy Ball are my knight in shining armor, my hero, my very best friend, my confidante, my prayer warrior, and the love of my life.  As we continue on this journey together, I can't wait to see what the years hold for us.  There's no one I'd rather go with. 

I love you.

Cassie