A (silly) Guest Post by: Chris Mingledorff
I figured that was a nice play on words for a baking blog post. No, this isn’t a post about a birthday or some teenager begging for a car. This is about an anniversary.
First things first, let me introduce myself. This is Chris – one half of the aforementioned anniversary. While I have had opportunities to do a lot of things in my nearly 40 years on this planet, being a guest blogger is new to me! So, if this is too vanilla (get the baking humor 😊) then I apologize now.
A few days ago was our 16 year wedding anniversary and I thought whipping up a post (more humor) would be a great way to celebrate. As I marinated on the topic, the idea became increasingly harder to conceptualize. But, then it hit me – like baking cookies, cake or the like – what does it take to get to 16 years? Like any fine recipe, here it is:
- Prepared on a God greased pan;
- 1 smokin’ hot wife with lots of love, dedication and understanding;
- Mixed with 3 beautiful children;
- 24.5 years of love;
- 5 cities;
- A garnish of 4 pets;
- Stir in 3 houses we owned (or at least owned more of each month we paid our mortgage);
- A glaze of respect;
- A drizzle of vacations;
- The occasional boil 😊 (usually my fault); and
- A sauté of faith.
After cooking this recipe for 16 years of marriage, I can tell you the result is better than expected. A warm, loving and happy home for us and our children (and currently 1 pet) is beyond anything you will find in a movie, magazine or on television. While our recipe may be different from others, it is just right for us in a Goldilocks sort of way.
Super corny – I know, but the best I have. Thank you for reminding me that I should not become a professional blogger.
-Chris Mingledorff
From Emily:
While having Chris guest blog was great, I couldn’t publish this sweet post without giving you a little bit of background about this studly dude of mine.
I met Chris at age 14 while sitting at a ski resort bus stop out west. My feet were freezing while waiting for the bus and this cute boy next to me offered me his boots… I happily obliged. This is classic “Chris” as many of you know. See, it’s common knowledge that Chris is someone who has a seriously remarkable heart, (literally and physically :)). As a teenager, Chris would take students home from high school who didn’t have transportation. He drove his siblings to hockey, ballet, gymnastics and dentist appointments while his parents worked tirelessly for their family. Chris held my grandmother in his arms at the hospital when my grandfather passed away, and stood at my bedside when I recovered from three child births and several surgeries. This is the Chris I fell in love with at that bus stop.
Through the years, this wonderful man has achieved both extraordinary successes and faced significant challenges. While the successes have been great, I must admit that in the difficult times, I worried that perhaps the sweet Chris I met at the the bus stop was quickly fading away. God had a very different plan, however. Through ups and downs, God was strengthening and refining the man I love so much. Now, after 16 years of marriage and almost 25 years together, the “Chris” I am married to on this very day, is more like the sweet kid I fell in love with waiting for that bus than ever before. Just hairier, much, much hairier. 🙂
So, happy “sweet 16” to my baby daddy, prom date, cute boyfriend, amazing man. Love you, Chris.
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