Yes folks, tomorrow I will be looking back on 22 wonderful, fun filled, years of marriage with a beautiful, God sent young woman whose love and patience I don't always feel deserving of. Sylvia has been so priceless to me over these 22 years. I haven't been exactly the state of the art hubby, but she still freely and abundantly treats me as though I am. I love her so much, and thank God for helping us make our 22nd anniversary a reality. I've always felt that our relationship started on a special note after a very memorable event on that cold Friday morning in the Jordan River Temple that I wanted to share.
After changing into our temple clothes, myself, my father, and my escort (my best friends father) were taken to a bench to wait prior to going to the sealing room. We sat and enjoyed the spirit and quietly visited. While this was going on, I noticed a door in the corridor where we were sitting open, and out came a temple matron escorting an elderly woman also in temple clothes. The matron brought her over, and sat her on the bench next to me. The matron noticed the "To be married" name tag I had pinned to my chest and said, "Oh Brother Johnson, This is Sister Benson, Sister Benson, Brother Johnson is getting married today." (GASP) Sister Benson congratulated me and told me that she had just celebrated a big number anniversary with her husband. (the exact number of years escapes me now, but I did just remember seeing in Church News about President and Sister Benson recently celebrating their anniversary and the number of years that Sister Benson just spoke to me of sounded very familiar to the total mentioned in the church news. (GASP AGAIN) Sister Benson and the matron escorting her soon left, leaving me with a burning question now raging through my mind. "Was this a Sister Benson or THE Sister Benson?" The answer came in a very dramatic fashion a few moments later when around the corner came President Ezra Taft Benson, flanked by his aides. The three of us snapped to our feet and greeted the Prophet with handshakes and smiles. Later I came to find out that President and Sister Benson routinely did sessions in the Jordan River Temple on Friday mornings. Talk about being at the right place at the right time, huh. It took a moment at that time for it to sink in that I had just been given the privilaged honor of shaking the hand of the Prophet of God. Since then I've always considered this experience a good omen on our marriage.
I guess what it all boils down to with this post is I want to give honor and praise to a precious beautiful and marvelous woman, who despite all my shortcomings ( there are a few things I fall short on other than just my right leg,) still loves me like I was perfect and allows me to be me. I love you sweethaert.
Thanks for 22 fabulous years
This was the year that my darling sister in law, Debra, took my even darlinger wife and the rest of the Gardner girls on the adventure of a lifetime. I will always be very grateful to Deb for this generous gift. To see Sylvia's eyes and smile light up when she shares memories of her cruise is a true delight to me. In my book, eventhough I wasn't invited, as were any of the men in the family, this truly made it a gift for me too. Thanks again Deb.
This was also the year that on a VERY rainy early spring morning I got the pleasure of seeing two beautiful women accomplish a very lofty goal when they took to the rain soaked streets of Cincinnati and completed the 2008 Flying Pig 5k, and in doing so creating something that will not only be about my favorite memory of 2008, but a very cherished memory of mine for years to come if not the rest of my life. It was the birth of Pink Princess Racing. When this happened I got to watch an amazing thing. I got to see our lives improve and change as we turn towards more healthy goal oriented living as Sylvia and I set our sights on being more physically conscious. The team eventually grew to include Maura's daughter Mikayla, Sam Hoffart, my adorable niece Courtney King, and in 2009 we are all very anxious to be joined by none other than Toni McElwain. My team participated in three other events during 2008 and we are all looking forward to a great 2009 season, when even I, P2R's crewchief and photographer plan on getting off the sideline, and out on the road with my team. I can't, however post a tribute to the Pink Princesses without a special shout-out to the woman whose influance, friendship, and personality made P2R a reality, Our dear friend and sister, Maura. From the bottom of my heart Maura, thank you for all the smiles, love, and laughter you've given Sylvia and I through the year, and I'm looking forward to a whole bunch more in the year to come. This leads into another fond memory of 2008. I feel that this was the year that our friendship with the Prince family really began to flourish and grow. This friendship has truly made me feel "ten feet tall and bulletproof," as a country song I once liked said.
