Today is Debbie’s birthday.

Although she has been the delight of my eyes from the very first time ever I saw her face, she has become the delight of my heart the more I came to know her … and the delight of my life as she has given me hers, and we have lived and served the Lord together for the past 46 of her years.

Her delight to me and my delight in her has aged well – kinda like fine wine. She just keeps getting better and better!

“And no one after drinking old wine desires the new, for he says, ‘The old is better’” [Luke 5.39].

So, thank you, Debbie, for all the ways you keep saving, giving, and bringing out the best of yourself for me to love more and more:

“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now” [John 2.10].

“You have captivated my heart, my Sister, my Bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my Sister, my Bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! Your lips drip nectar, my Bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon” / Song of Solomon 4.9-11.

Sometimes I think I couldn’t love you more than I have and do – but you keep giving me reason to sing,

“Oh, I love you more today than yesterday

But not as much as tomorrow

I love you more today than yesterday

But, Darling, not as much as tomorrow” ~Spiral Staircase

I’m already looking forward to tomorrow … and then “forever and a day!”