Breaking Our Silence
When people hear “20 years of marriage” and “no kids” in the same sentence, the curiosity usually shows up before the congratulations. We get it. The unasked question is loud. But today isn’t about explaining what we don’t have. It’s about celebrating what we do. Twenty years ago, we said yes to each other and unknowingly said yes to thousands of children, teenagers, and young adults who would pass through our lives in ways that changed all of us forever.
There are students we met when they were four years old, tiny humans with big emotions, scraped knees, and endless questions. Over time, we didn’t just show up for moments, we helped them uncover, unpack, and unleash the gifts already inside of them. We spoke life into who they were becoming long before they could see it themselves. We created spaces where curiosity was safe, confidence could grow, and purpose was nurtured. Now those same kids are grown. They’re graduating college, starting careers, building families, and leading others. Somewhere in their story, we had a hand. We’ve watched shy kids find their voices, angry kids learn how to trust, and lost kids discover direction through Jesus Christ. We didn’t give them our last name, but we gave them consistency, encouragement, prayer, and belief. And if love could be claimed as a dependent, we’d be richer than Warren Buffett. Seriously our tax refund would be wild.
Let’s talk numbers but not in a boring way. Making it to 20 years of marriage is basically relationship Everest. Some marriages don’t survive year 2. Others slowly unravel somewhere between football practices, careers, unmet expectations, and that famous lie “we’ll fix it later.” Some people are still married on paper but divorced in the spirit. You know the kind sleeping in separate rooms, sharing a mortgage but not a conversation. And listen, the only way one of us is sleeping in another room in the same house is if the other one has the flu. And even then, we’re negotiating . We would probably say put a mask on and get in this bed. lol
Reaching 20 years today is kind of like running a marathon in a world that keeps insisting you quit at mile three. And here we are still choosing each other, still laughing, still dreaming, still in love. Not because it was easy but because it was worth it.
Let’s be honest this journey hasn’t been perfect. We’ve faced seasons that tested our faith, our patience, and our resolve. Moments where the questions were heavy and the answers felt delayed. Times when the scoreboard didn’t look like we hoped. But we learned something powerful. Every challenge was just a game God already knew He would win. And He did every single time. Not always the way we imagined but always in a way that built something stronger than we could’ve designed ourselves.
In 20 years, we didn’t just build a marriage we built a life. We’ve stood on five of the seven continents. We’ve explored over 20 countries. We’ve seen God move in classrooms, communities, churches, and cultures far beyond our own zip code. Every stamp on our passport tells a story of growth, humility, and wonder. Every journey reminded us how big the world is and how faithful God has been in every corner of it.
This isn’t a look what we did story. This is a look what God built story. He built a marriage that lasted. A calling that multiplied. A legacy measured by impact. Every child we’ve loved, every student we’ve mentored, every young adult thriving today that’s Him. We’re just grateful He trusted us with it.
By the way, as we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary today, which just happens to fall on New Year’s Eve, we’d love nothing more than to end 2025 strong. Speaking of children, our Arts and Tech foundation is very much like one to us. It’s something we’ve nurtured, protected, believed in, and poured ourselves into year after year. Even though we haven’t fully met our campaign target yet, we believe we can step into 2026 with momentum. If this story resonated with you, would you consider visiting purenheartfoundation.org and giving 20 dollars to help us continue changing the world and reaching more students through ARTS and TECH. The world feels chaotic right now, but just like coding, order doesn’t happen by accident it’s designed. And we believe what we’re building helps bring clarity, structure, and hope where it’s needed most.
