Year in Review

Next week we will celebrate our 8th anniversary. I can hardly believe it. We were just young pups eight years ago when we said, "I do." We clearly didn't know what we were getting into but we stepped out on faith and God has been faithful to meet us and care for us on this amazing journey. Yet it's easy to forget or simply gloss over all that happens in life and we want to remember...we want to notice...we want to cherish and celebrate what God has done and all He's brought us through and blessed us with. So, one of the ways that we've been able to see and record God's amazing love for us over the years has been in our annual Year in Review.

Now let me just say this: I didn't come up with this myself. I stole it from someone else. When we were first married, one of the leaders in our Newlyweds Sunday School class at church mentioned that every year she gave her husband a Year in Review on their anniversary. She never explained to me what it was or how she went about it, but I could pretty much figure it out. After that, I decided that I was going to do that and since I didn't know how she did hers, I just made it up for us.

So every year I write out a Year in Review and read it to Steve on the night of our anniversary. Basically, my review looks something like this. I pick a verse that characterizes our year together, write Steve a little note from me, and then recount all of the major events of the year. Some years there are more than others. I also added a section, as we got more children, telling about each one of them and fun little facts about them in their development at the time of writing. I always end the review with listing out our vows.

This type style works well for me because I like to write. However, if you wanted to try something like this but don't like to write, you could be creative and come up with a picture collage or just list events. Whatever you want!! It's your review and your family!!

Going through the year is a wonderful time of remembering for each of us. I always loved that someone else gave me this idea so I thought I'd throw it out there for anyone who thinks it would be a fun thing to do. Make up your own way...you can do whatever you want. I will tell you though...I've been SO thankful to have all of our reviews stored away in a little binder to look at here and there. And one day, our children will have a long history of our family to relish in and be thankful for.

However, I know that lots of you remember the year with your spouse in other ways. What are some of the ways? I love hearing new ideas about this sort of thing and who knows? Maybe somebody else will read your idea and implement it into their family life? I'm sure the leader of our class doesn't even remember our conversation but I do and her words have impacted our family for a lifetime.

So...don't be shy...how do you remember and reflect on your year together? I'd love to hear from you.