That was the song that played as we walked down the isle after being pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Portnoy, two years ago today. “We did it K!”….730 days of laughter, love, hard time, great times, miracles, financial highs and lows, bought our first house, a new car, started a business, had a baby….what in the world!
How great is our God to bless us with the gift of love so richly and deeply? He didn’t make us love each other, he taught us how to love each other. Everyday as we learn to weave the elements of daily life and eternal life into our marriage I know he is teaching us the true attributes of love: patience, kindness, not envious, not boastful, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs, always hoping, trusting, not failing one another. Although neither one of us have earned an A+ in love, we are playing on the same team, we are committed to this marriage, our family, and honoring our vow before the Lord to love each other until our dying breath.
If we had met in high school, we would have been the perfect early 90’s couple. You the big jock and me the fashionista.
Ryan is like 40lbs smaller than he is now…bones with skin stretched over them…yikes!
However, I was SOOOO totally 2 grades ahead of you, so we would have never dated. How weird is it that we lived an hour an a half away, played each others schools in sports…and I never knew you? Thank goodness there was 10 years before we met and turned into the smokin’ hot adults we are today.
I so miss being that small…sigh…anyway, back to Ryan….
I think it is amazing that you actually have the moment you knew you wanted to be more than friends with me on film. You told me when you took this picture at a friends party that your heart leap and grew 10x’s bigger like the Grinch who stole Christmas, except your’s was never that small to begin with.
You were my friend first, no attraction so no hidden motives for being around you. You made me laugh, you listened to me, I observed you doing the most amazing acts of kindness to those around you, you were my prayer partner, my can food-collecting buddy, and my friend. God laid a foundation for us long before we knew the friendship would grow into romance.
I don’t know how to convey my appreciation for you, Ryan. My friends who knew me B. R. (before Ryan) know how absolutely yo-yo I was in personality, emotionally, my choices in life were less than admirable at times. Relationally….well….let’s just say I had a knack for picking up with some doozies. The best compliment I received after dating you was how “peaceful” I was. No more “yo-yo” Kelly. My soul found rest in your presence. You were such a healing balm on my heart.
Your strengths lie in your subtleties. You don’t command attention, you don’t brag on your abilities, you are not prideful or selfish. You regard others more highly than yourselves, but not because you are self deprecating, on the contrary, you are so confident and secure in who you are in Christ. How blessed is the man who knows their place in God’s kingdom and lives in reality of that?
What I love most about you is your humility. You know that you have so much to learn about being a husband and father. You are quick to apologize to me when you screw up, you respect my opinion. I love that when I leave town you feel lost without me. Not because you need me but you want me. I feel the same way. Experiences shared apart from you are not as satisfying.
So on this day where we reflect on the moments that come together to define our marriage, I say to you, my love, my heart, my friend, my partner, MY HUSBAND…..there is no one on this earth that could possibly find my ridiculous humor, voices, animated stories, analities, clumsiness and choking fits as endearing and charming as you. I leap into your life as your girlfriend on June 23, 2004…..and I became your wife on August 7, 2005…..
This list is for you……my favorite things, memories, moments:
1—I have to say, November 4, 2006…watching you become a daddy.
2—Anytime we put the laptop in bed and watch funny movies or TV shows and snuggle and laugh together.
3—When you have a bat and ball in your hand, I love how your body language changes into this confident jock walk…sexy!
4—Shooting weddings with you, I love looking across the room and we smile and wink at each other. I love feeling like a team and working together in this capacity
5—Sitting in church together singing worship songs. Makes me weepy.
6—Watching you play with Chloe or when I leave you with Chloe. When I come home you tell me everything you did together and you are all excited and breathy when speaking about her. Your love for Chloe is beautiful.
7—I love sitting watching you do things on the computer, with electronics or our cameras. I am amazed at your abilities with technology. You are so gifted, I am a parasite of your knowledge. “Yes, I love technology, not as much as you and me, still I love technology…always and forever.”
8—I love how when I do something dumbass or clumsy you just smile and say, “Oh Kelly!” It is funny and sweet. You are also willing to do anything I ask you…ANYTHING. You love to make me laugh.
9—You make me laugh soooooooo hard, your stories, your jokes, your off color humor. I love when the little boy Ryan comes out in you and I feel like we are in junior high. Our own little humor world.
10—You are my biggest fan. I don’t think I know a day that you don’t compliment me when you get up, when you get home from work and before I go to bed. You are so affirming of me and although I have a hard time believing it all the time, I know you are sincere with your words. Some women will never know this kind of security like I have with you.
So Ryan Michael, cheers to you. You are a blessing to all who have the privilege of knowing you. There is no greater pride that I have than saying I am your wife. Thank you for choosing me.
what a beautiful post! you are both so lucky and blessed to have chosen one another.
My sweet Kelly - congrats on your anniversary! You guys are so great - I only wish we could spend more time together. It’s so great to look back and see the place that God has brought you to. Cheers to you and Ryan! We love you guys!
Happy Anniversary you crazy kids!
Happy Anniversary!
What an amazing tribute to your husband. I think many of us strive every day to have a relationship that is as solid and loving as the one you two have. Here is to many years of happiness and joy!
HAPPY HAPPY Anniversary!!! What a beautiful post! And wonderful pics to go along with it. What a blessing God has given both of you:)
Congrats on your anniversary. You have had an amazing two years.
What a great post, again, Kelly!! Congrats on your anniversary! What a great way to celebrate…you are so great with words! It was a great tribute!!
PS. Love the pics, especially the last one!! Awesome!!
sigh. this is sweeter than candy but as honest as a child. i’m just about in tears…………..
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful post and a testament to God’s blessings on you. You made me all weepy
Shucks, I’m touched by this. Your love for each other is so powerful and deep and I love hearing about it. Awesome photos of your courtship and wedding, too. What a pair you are!
That was beautiful! Congratulations on 2 years. Happy Anniversary!
What a lovely tribute to your husband. Happy anniversary, you guys. May you have many many more years of happiness, health and love.
Awesome post, Kelly. Simply awesome.
Gorgeous words for a gorgeous couple. Happy Anniversary, may God continue to bless you richly as you live your lives, together with Him!
Happy Anniversary you guys! 2 years - wow, it’s like you’re old pro’s. May you guys continue to giggle and love each other for many many many more years to come.
Wow, that was so beautiful . . . so lovely. How incredibly blessed you are to have each other, and for Chloe to have you as parents! You guys remind me so so much of my hubby. Same way of falling for each other, same quirkiness, same sort of relationship now. Conrgats on some wonderful years. Here’s to many many more
What an inspirational and amazing couple you guys are. You are so blessed. Happy happy anniversary
oh crap… i cried all the way through the post and the video LOL
Congratulations and happy anniversary - You can really feel the love and deep connection between you both in the way you write Kelly, for a young couple so in love, you truly are both inspiring for me as I enter the world of marriage!
happy anniversary! that was the best darn anniversary post i’ve ever read! just beautiful.
Beautiful tribute, Kelly. What an awesome blessing to not only have God’s love solidifying your marriage, but to be so wholly aware of Him in your marriage. You are truly amazing. What a blessing of a life you two share.
Happy! Happy! Happy Anniversary!!!
That was seriously the sweetest post ever! You guys are so lucky to have found each other!
Lil x
What a beautiful story! I really enjoyed what you said in it and it is soo inspiring. You have a beautiful look on life and I hope you never change. My husband and I have been married 11 years and still feel the same way as when we met. It’s and awesome thing! Congrats!
Congrats on your Anniversary! This gave me goosebumps as well!
What a great post, you guys are made for eachother, you can see it through the photos. I love your story, you two are an inspiration.
And I LOVE that last photo!
Oh yeah, Happy Anniversary!
Beautiful, beautiful post. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
Hi Lady,
You just have a special way with words and media. Beautiful and I LOVE
might i add, you are more beautiful NOW!
how blessed you are to have found your complete and non-tarnished key to your perfect lock.
just think. what an fun adventure you have in store for yourselves!
self-discovery and the ability to love MORE than you could ever possibly imagine on your wedding day, the day your daughter was born and even MORE than today.
yes, your love really CAN AND DOES grow more than you can imagine!
here is to many blessed and happy years together!
Wait, wait, wait… You’re married?
Happy Anniversary! It’s so inspiring to see other Christian couples who are happy and doing well. Great post!
You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the well wishes. It was a great day with my sweetie.
I love to read about happy couples.
May your joy continue!