On August 10, 2014 Nathan and I celebrated our 12th anniversary!! Nathan surprised me on Saturday morning with my gift. My favorite breakfast (pancakes, bacon and eggs), a new charm for my Pandora bracelet - a Japanese Cherry Blossom, a very popular flower up here in Northern VA and (my favorite) a poem. Yep, he wrote me the sweetest poem taking us from before we met when we had only heard about each other, through the last 14 years until present day. Beautiful doesn't begin to cover it. While the whole thing made me tear up, the first stanza and the last stanza are my favorites!
People through the years have always joked or made fun of our age difference, or at the ages that we were when we got together. And you know what? That's okay. I knew from the first day that I met Nathan that there was something special about him. And not only as a person, but I felt in my heart that God had a plan for him in my life. Now yes, at 16 years old I was unsure of what it meant, but I had a peace about him that I still have to this day. And laugh all you want, but I was right. Because it's been over 14 years since the summer that Nathan and I became friends -- and we've been best friends ever since. And the fact that I can say that I am married to my best friend is so important. We are the best part of each other. There's just something about "Nate and Lyn" that just makes sense. And I thank God for that and for him every day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just the Other Day
By Nathan Barnes
8.10.2014
It was just the other
day when Sloan told me about a pretty girl at camp who could sing.
He then told me her
age.
I said, “Come on, man.
Are you kidding me?”
It was just the other
day when we met at that Christmas retreat.
At the time I had no
idea
That God had a plan for
you and me.
It was just the other
day when we spent Summer 2000 together on Lighthouse staff.
Everyone else could see
it,
But all I could do was
laugh.
It was just the other
day when I fought it and fought it and looked like a fool.
I finally dropped the
gloves.
And spelled out I-L-I-K-E-Y-O-U.
It was just the other
day when, boy, those summer days at camp sure were hot.
We got to know each
other better down by the lake.
We called it “Our
Little Spot”.
It was just the other
day when I prayed, “God, is she the one for me?”
After your parents’
blessing, I humbly asked,
“Lyn, will you marry
me?”
It was just the other
day when we wondered, “Who would put a puppy in a box and leave?”
She was perfect for us.
We named her Ali.
It was just the other
day when I watched with amazement as you walked down the aisle.
I praised God and held
back emotion,
For I had never seen a
more beautiful smile.
It was just the other
day when two became one; we started our lives together.
Me working and you in
school,
We had not two dimes to
rub together.
It was just the other
day when you prepared way too many mashed potatoes.
Cooking a big dinner
was a sign of things to come –
A foreshadow.
It was just the other
day when that big snowstorm hit and surprised everyone.
We finally got back
home,
Built a snowman, and
had a day of fun.
It was just the other
day when the American dream came calling; you showed me that flyer.
A little white house
with a red roof;
We had a place to call
ours.
It was just the other
day when, “We’re gonna have a baby!”
Only eight weeks. Sadness.
Miscarry.
It was just the other
day when, “Um, we’re gonna have a baby?!”
Now past the first
trimester.
“We’re gonna have a
BABY!”
It was just the other day
when mag sulfate, bedrest, and Dr. Trabue.
A difficult pregnancy,
But Zachary Sheldon
Barnes born to me and you!
It was just the other
day when treatments because of Zachary’s difficulty breathing.
Praise God the test was
negative.
No “65 Roses”, just
wheezing.
It was just the other
day when Ali decided to get a little friendly.
We kept one of her pups
And named her Lily.
It was just the other
day when Katrina flooded New Orleans; we wanted to help the needy.
Donating Zachary’s
clothes was the right thing to do,
But it wasn’t easy.
It was just the other
day when we were going to North Carolina again to see grandparents.
Always a special trip.
Going as often as
possible just makes sense.
It was just the other
day when we came up with a 3-year financial plan.
Hospital bills and you
finishing school;
We sold our house and
moved back to Watertown.
It was just the other
day when we experienced the ups and downs of life.
Honeymoon long in the
rear-view mirror;
Sometimes simply “Commitment”
is key for man and wife.
It was just the other
day when you proved them wrong - working, being married with a son.
You delivered the
speech at the pinning ceremony
And became an RN.
It was just the other
day when “It’s positive. We’re gonna have another!”
Hope not a repeat of
last pregnancy;
Will Zachary have a
sister or brother?
It was just the other
day when mag sulfate, bedrest, and Dr. Trabue.
Another difficult
pregnancy,
But Eli Craig Barnes
born to me and you!
It was just the other
day when Eli’s first days were spent in the NICU.
His lungs were
underdeveloped.
His birth was a scare
for me and you.
It was just the other
day when we took the boys to Chattanooga and stayed on the Choo Choo.
We packed in a lot of
fun
Topped off by room
service and UT vs LSU.
It was just the other
day when “How about five acres and a log home?”
We’ll add a third
bedroom
And have plenty of
space for two boys to roam.
It was just the other
day when building the master suite,
Another positive test!
Will this one be
wearing pink?
It was just the other
day when mag sulfate, bedrest, and Dr. Trabue.
It’s how we roll.
Tyler Hudson Barnes
born to me and you!
It was just the other
day when our three boys bring us so much joy.
Now we have a crowded
bed
And a bathtub full of
toys.
It was just the other
day when we started having an outrageous monthly food bill.
Our boys never stop eating.
We vacuum after each
meal.
It was just the other
day when Zachary is Zach Zach, Eli is Little E, and Tyler is Ty.
When Tyler was learning
to talk,
He called his brothers
Gocky and Wy.
It was just the other
day when Zachary first noticed Under Armour.
Eli scavenges for
treasure; Tyler shows his dimples.
At bedtime they all
want “TR”.
It was just the other
day when we were Up North in Mackinac.
We always enjoy family
on Lake Michigan.
They always enjoy our
“Hey, y’all!”
It was just the other
day when Bro. Don was closing another service at First Baptist Church.
Sunday after Sunday we
learned
There’s no better place
to be than Granny Hudson’s for Sunday lunch.
It was just the other
day when we were celebrating with family on another holiday.
There’s never enough
time to get together,
But we always enjoy it
anyway.
It was just the other
day when you’ve always been an incredible nurse at Monroe Carroll.
We’ve been with our
employers for over a decade;
You at Vandy and me at
Cracker Barrel.
It was just the other
day when both parents working and a family of five.
We’re so blessed with
family and friends.
Each week is just
trying to survive.
It was just the other
day when we had our 10-year anniversary.
Let’s plan a trip to
Florida,
Couple days, maybe
three!
It was just the other
day when we had a day that would forever change our plan.
One small fall for a
man,
One giant stumble for
the Barnes clan.
It was just the other
day when a stress test that was supposed to be routine,
Led to an introduction
to Amyloidosis
Due to deposits of
protein.
It was just the other
day when we took the doctor’s advice and researched online.
Chemo, maybe a
transplant.
Will I be around for
Christmas time?
It was just the other
day when I thanked God for the family with which He blessed me.
No time to feel sorry.
Just enjoy you and
little bare feet.
It was just the other
day when, during the MRI, we felt prayers being lifted up to Him.
We celebrated at
Zachary’s football practice.
Not Amyloidosis, but
HCM!
It was just the other
day when Zachary and Tyler were found to have the same genetic defect.
Praise God for what
we’ve gone through.
Finding out early is an
absolute benefit.
It was just the other
day when I got a defibrillator implanted in my chest.
Matthew also got one.
He and doctors thought
it best.
It was just the other
day when I received a shock while sleeping.
HCM is the silent
killer.
It certainly has a way
of creeping.
It was just the other
day when I fell unconscious at the wheel.
You’ve been amazing
through it all.
Determined, strong willed.
It was just the other
day when you got that email from the travel nursing agency.
Range of thoughts from
“Let’s Do This!” to
“Are we crazy”?
It was just the other
day when we packed the truck and moved to just outside D.C.
We’ll homeschool the
boys.
And see all that we can
see.
It was just the other
day when we saw a rainbow on the way to Virginia.
We took a moment and
thanked God.
Seemed to be His
reassuring that “I’m watching over ya”.
It was just the other
day when we started school with prayer, pledge, and song.
Your organization is
brilliant.
Although Tyler says
school is “too much long”!
It was just the other
day when we started this adventure unsure about what comes next.
We’ll continue praying
And having faith in Proverbs
3:5-6.
It was just the other
day when I started writing this. I know you won’t let me slide.
Um, busy, busy, busy.
Can you believe how fast
a year and a half goes by?
It was just the other day when Sloan told me about a pretty girl at camp who could sing.
I'd marry you all over again; you're as beautiful as ever.
Man, he wasn't kidding me.
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