On August 10, 2015, Daryl and I stood together in Marietta, Georgia, and promised our lives to each other. It wasn’t a big ceremony—no crowd, no fanfare—just the two of us, doing something completely for us. It was quiet, simple, and pure. She loves that day because it was about our hearts, not anyone else’s expectations. I love it too, but I also knew I needed something more. I wanted to stand before God and our family and friends to publicly declare, “This is the woman I will spend the rest of my life with.” Two months later, on October 10, we did just that in our church, and I have never looked back.
I always wanted romance in my life, but my first marriage wasn’t built that way. When that marriage ended, I reconnected with Daryl—the same woman who had once been my dear friend back in 1991. Back then, the timing just wasn’t right. We both went on to build separate lives, but God wasn’t finished with our story. After years apart, we found each other again, and this time everything aligned. We both knew what we wanted—and who we wanted.
Life moved quickly after that. I had just lost my health insurance, and Daryl, ever practical and full of love, said, “Let’s get married now so you’re covered.” So she came to Marietta on August 10, and that’s how our first wedding came to be. It was a beginning born of both necessity and faith, and it’s one of the most beautiful decisions we ever made.
Our marriage hasn’t been perfect—no real marriage is—but it’s been real. We’ve had our disagreements, but they’ve always led us back to each other, stronger than before. In my first marriage, there were no arguments, just silence, and that silence slowly killed the bond. With Daryl, we challenge each other, we grow together, and yes, sometimes we scrape a little—because “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). That sharpening has made me a better man, a better husband, and a better follower of Christ.
When I look back now, I see God’s hand in every twist and turn that led us here. What once seemed like wrong timing was really divine timing. I thank Him for redeeming what was broken and for giving me a partner who loves fiercely, laughs freely, and believes deeply.
So, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of that first “I do,” I want to say thank you—to the Lord, for bringing Daryl back into my life, and to Daryl, for choosing me. You cast your lot with me for the rest of our days, and I’ll never take that for granted.
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:9).
Daryl, I love you. Here’s to the next ten years—and the many more that follow.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
