Happy 19th Anniversary

It all began in the spring of 1989. Philip Thurman asked me out on our first date. 8 months later, we were engaged. 8 months after that we were married. What a wonderful time it has been. We have grown together and as individuals. We were such babies. I was 22 he was 23. I know you are suppose to be responsible and have it all together by then but we were not. Philip only had a part time job when we were married. I remember when our rent went up to $380 from $360, we moved home. We just couldn't make that happen. I look back now and wish that was all we had to pay. We have moved alot, had 3 children, started a church, cried, laughed, yelled, loved, talked, worshipped, and celebrated in our 19 years together.

We started taking pictures of ourselves on our anniversaries each year. We got the idea from some friends that had been married a while before us. We keep them posted on our refrigerator. If you have ever been to our house you have seen them. It's so funny to see someone, who has never been to our house, stare at the pictures trying to figure out what they mean. Finally they understand and smile. I thought I would include them in my blog today so you could see how we have changed. It will make you smile.

1st year. Aren't we so cute.

2nd year.
Seems a life time ago. We lived in Atlanta, GA

3rd year.
We were expecting Brice. Love the big earrings and floral shirt.

4th year
Brice was included in this picture for some reason. Don't you love the permed hair? We were in seminary during this time.

5th year
We lived in Jackson, MS working in our first ministry position (college and singles). I was expecting Shelby.

6th year
We were living in Madison, MS. Still at FBC Jackson. Somebody help me with the hair...

7th year
We had just moved to Hattiesburg. We were on staff at Temple Baptist Church. (college and singles.) This picture was taken at The Crab Trap in Destin. We took the singles to a retreat at SanDestin every year. The next few pictures are taken at the same restaurant.

8th year
Destin, FL

9th year
Destin, FL Come on with the overalls. Good grief....

10th year
Destin, FL
We had moved to Columbia, SC
We worked with the Single Adults and took them to the same retreat.

11th year
We had just moved back to the Jackson area. We were living with my parents at the time. We were waiting to sell a house and buy another one. As you can see, I was much with child. (Eli) In fact, he was born just a couple of weeks after this picture. We were on staff at FBC, Jackson again as young adult pastor.

12th year
We were in Atlanta, GA visiting some friends.

13th year
Not too long after this picture was taken we started LifeBridge Church. Wow, what a journey! Notice Philip's hair after this point. I told him the other day he gave his hair for this church.

14th year
We had moved to Madison by this time.

15th year
Destin, FL
We took a trip, just the two of us, to Destin. We sat on the beach all day, reading and watching people. We had so much fun. I love the beach and being with my sweety was awesome. I think we both read 2 or 3 books while we were there.

16th year
Notice the gray?

17th year
OK, so we both looked drugged in this picture. Brice took the picture and we thought it was so funny we kept it.

18th year
Perdido Key, FL

19th year
Wow!

What a life! I love you, Philip. I'm so glad that you had that class with Stacey and Rose Mary so many years ago. For those of you that don't know the story... Stacey Norris Hight and Rose Mary Chapel Buehler(My room mate and good friend from MS College) had a class with Philip, my junior year. They had a project in their class where they had to interview each other. One of the questions they asked Philip was, "If you could ask anyone out on campus, who would you ask out?" Well, not knowing that we were friends, much less roommates, he said, "Lori Kinchen". The rest is history.

Philip, we have been through a lot of good times, hard times, sad times, questioning times, funny times, and wonderful times. Through it all, we have learned to trust God when we didn't have enough. We have learned to lean on each other. We learned that it's ok to disagree. We've learned that it's fun to laugh and be silly. We've learned that we are totally opposite but that works for us. I'm so proud to be called your wife. I'm so happy that you gave me 3 wonderful children. I'm so proud of what and who you have become. We've come a long way in 19 years and I wouldn't change a thing. I look forward to many more years with you and will cherish each of them.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you, our friends and family, the past 19 years. Hope you have enjoyed....