30. – susie mey

[The following celebrates my husband, while also documenting our travels in India in 2009.] So, my husband has officially reached his thirties. I can remember a time 7 years ago when I first met him. He was the “boy-next-door-friend” — you know, the kind in the movies. Just to clarify, I don’t mean boyfriend. I mean “boy-next-door-friend.” The kind you race with as kids. Or the kind that your Indian mom lets come over because she knows, “he’s just a friend.” Anyway, I never had a boy-next-door-friend growing up, so I was excited to finally have one in college.

Little did I know that we would be married, have a darling Dhara, and live this beautiful life together. God’s ways are amazing; that is, if we are willing to go there with Him. And that’s what I love about my husband — he was willing to go.

I’ve heard people say that when you’re in love, everything is more beautiful. It’s true. When in love, the world has a specialness about it. It’s kind of like when you put on a pair of sunglasses — the world is tinted a different color — the same goes for when you love. Life has a feeling of rarity, exhilaration and beauty because you want to live it with the one you love. I feel so blessed to be married to the one I love. On a God note, I think this is how Jesus wants us to love Him. He wants us to love Him in a way that changes the way we view life — in a way that makes this life more and more beautiful each day we love Him.

One of the main reasons that drew me to this man was his devotion to Jesus. [Second, was his playfullness and ability to love life and river dance.] He inspired me to love Jesus more — and he continues to do so. He’s always had a desire for righteousness and more devotion. I love his understanding of growing in Christ. We can’t rely on our yesteryear devotions — it must be a constant and ongoing relationship. Greg is so good at reminding me of this. I love his desire to see this kind of love for God unfold in other peoples lives.

The photo below was one of those beautiful moments I mentioned earlier. As Greg was reading his bible one morning on a balcony overlooking Cochin, a pretty yellow butterfly found it’s way to his arm. It perched there for several seconds before it flew off. I personally feel that when God lives in us, even his creation is drawn to us.

I think it’s neat that him and I could be going on a nightly stroll outside, and he always seems to be the one who sees shooting stars. I always miss them. He’s seen so many over the years I’ve known him. I’ve only seen one. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he’s like a watchman on the wall from Ezekiel 33. God has given him the gift to watch and see the things that people wouldn’t normally see. It’s even neater to see this characteristic in our daughter. She is also an observant one.

Happy 30th Birthday to the love of my life who makes this life so much more beautiful. I love your enthusiasm for life. I love the way you love our daughter. I thank you for your selflessness — for putting the needs of others above your very own on a daily basis — it does not go unnoticed. I love Christ in you, and who He’s made you to be. I love you. — your susie.