Thankful Thursday: Oh! I love this man!

I dated some great guys - and a few NOT so great guys - but, never anyone I was serious about. I had a "plan." I was not even going to THINK about getting married until I was 28 (random number choice - absolutely NO reason I chose it). And, until then, I was going to TRAVEL! Once I EVENTUALLY met Mr. Right, my further "plan" was to have 3 kids...each 2 years apart. (Story there for another Thankful Thursday post...) Well, 
God laughed.
He sent me THIS MAN. He had a MUCH better plan in mind. I was blind-sided. I was dating someone else 'long distance' and it was the perfect set up ... a lot of fun, but very little commitment. 
Pete was kind & fun & polite & handsome....& persistent. He was my brother's friend through sports. He lived next door to my sister and her family. 
I WAS SUNK! My entire {large} family absolutely ADORED him. 
Wait! What about MY PLAN?!?!
Well, over 26 years ago I made the wise decision to say, "YES"...and...."I DO" to an incredible man who loves me unconditionally {when I really don't deserve it} and blesses my mom heart by being crazy in love with my kids...the bio ones and my lil brown sweeties....AND the kids who call me Mom miles & miles away. 
And about my dreams to travel? Well, God transformed my heart to desire to LIVE without a true geographical home on this earth. The only way THAT was going to happen without complete turmoil was for Him to gift me with a partner who was willing and passionate about following God wherever in the world He wants us....for however long He desires...doing whatever is on His heart for us to do.
I pray that each & every one of my kids will wait for God to send them the blessing of a wonderful spouse who loves God, desires most of all to follow Christ and chooses to be completely devoted to them and their children. 
Nothing money can buy can compare to God's gift to me of this amazing man. 
I love you, Pete...