I was baptized in 1997. Let me start by saying before you continue reading that this was MY decision. Nothing in the Bible states that you have to do this again. It only takes one time. So the decision to be baptized again was a decision between God, my future husband, and myself.

A couple months ago, God had placed something on my heart so deeply. Morals and values have always been so important to me. In fact, one of the very first things I told Ben was that if he was looking for a hookup, I wasn’t his girl. Of course, Ben being the man he is assured me that wasn’t the case and he has honored his word to this day (I could go on for hours about this man, but I will save that for another post). I always thought my virginity would be the ultimate gift I could give to my husband. And if any man in this world deserved that, it was Ben.

I am thankful for my past and for all it has taught me. I wouldn’t be half the woman I am today had I not been humbled so deeply by past mistakes and challenges. Adversity accelerates growth and Gods grace ultimately rescued me. I will say it again and again, but I am thankful for my darkest days that led me to appreciate the brightest ones.

A few weeks ago, Ben and I were sitting on my sofa drinking our morning coffee when I told him what God had placed on my heart — an idea to get baptized again. I asked him his thoughts on possibly joining me and before I could finish my sentence he thought it was a beautiful idea. He felt the same way about mistakes in his past that he wished he could change and he agreed that washing off the dirt and being made clean together before entering this marriage was exactly what he wanted. 

I cried and hugged his neck.

Two weeks later we stood hand-in-hand before being baptized in a private ceremony. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. I couldn’t contain my emotions as we prayed together before taking the plunge. The gratitude that fills my soul when I think of what God has delivered me from and what he is now delivering me to… Ben.

I love you, Ben. And I can’t wait to be your wife in two weeks.