We’re celebrating our 24th anniversary. Here’s my best marriage advice.

Stefanie and I just celebrated 24 years of marriage.

Twenty-four years!!!!

One awesome daughter.

Four dogs.

A few apartments and five different houses!

When we got married, we obviously hoped we’d make it this far. But I don’t think either of us really understood everything those 24 years would bring.

There have been incredible moments. There have also been some hard seasons.

We’ve laughed a lot, cried a little, tried to be patient, exercised some selective hearing, changed a lot, given each other plenty of grace, and probably learned more about each other than either of us could have imagined on our wedding day.

We’ve built a life together.

We’ve watched our daughter grow up. We’ve made memories, made mistakes, forgiven each other, and figured out how to keep moving forward together.

And that’s something I’ve come to really appreciate about marriage.

It’s not just about finding the right person. It’s about becoming the right person for the person you chose.

Because after 24 years, you realize marriage isn’t sustained by feelings alone.

What holds a marriage together is commitment.

It’s learning when to talk and when to just listen. It’s being willing to say, “I’m sorry.” It’s giving each other grace. It’s remembering that you’re on the same team, even when you don’t see things the same way.

And ultimately, it’s understanding that God needs to be at the center of it all.

Two people can be strong together, but when God is on your team, there’s a strength neither person could have on their own.

Looking back on 24 years, I’m grateful for so many things.

But more than anything, I’m grateful that God has been faithful to us.

He’s been there in the good seasons and the difficult ones. He’s given us grace when we needed it, and He’s reminded us to extend that same grace to each other.

And if I could go back and talk to the two people who stood at that altar 24 years ago, I’d give them this advice for their marriage:

You don’t have to have everything figured out.

You just have to keep choosing each other.

Keep praying.

Keep forgiving.

Keep laughing.

I think I read that on a wooden sign at someone’s house! 😂

When life gets difficult, don’t forget who brought you together in the first place.

Twenty-four years later, I’m incredibly thankful for the woman I chose, and even more thankful that she chose me.

And thank You, God, for 24 years.