A preacher one time was visiting another church on his vacation. During the sermon, the home pastor noticed he was losing some of the congregations attention, and quickly quipped, “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman!” Well, that surely got everyone’s attention. Then he added, “And that woman was my mother.” The visiting preacher appreciated the trick, and decided to tuck it away in his mind for a time when he might need it.

A year or so later, the preacher found himself, too, at the mercy of a crowd’s failing attention, and desperately spouted off, “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman!” Problem is, he just couldn’t remember the second part to save his life!, “And for the life of me,” he said, “I can’t remember who she is.”

Today is my 10th wedding anniversary, and I can honestly say that the best years of my life were spent in the arms of my wife, Angela. I breathe for her. I live for her, and I love her beyond words.

She is the most beautiful woman my eyes have embraced, and I count myself the luckiest man alive to be married to her.

I understand what they mean when they say “Love transcends time” because these 10 years have felt like 10 days and 100 years at the same time… and every minute has been beautiful.

Thank you, baby, for the best years of my life.