On February 1, 1997, Minhee and I exchanged vows and committed ourselves to Christ, one another, our family and community – the journey of loving, serving, and growing as husband and wife. Today, we celebrate our 12th anniversary. I know that it is customary [and wise] to speak well of your spouse on your anniversary but Minhee truly is an expression and embodiment of God’s grace and beauty to my life. Our marriage – while clearly not perfect – remains focused on the three pillars I often share with others: Passion. Vision. Mission. [another blogpost]
We met in Korea and dated for a week before I returned to the States. We engaged in many phone calls and probably exchanged over a thousand letters since we both weren’t using this technology called ‘electronic mail.’
And while people boast of their marriage proposal stories, I’m pretty sure mine is the most romantic and unique:
The summer before our wedding [while I was still a student in seminary in New Jersey], I put on my best suit, got on my knees, picked up the phone to call Minhee in Korea, and in my best Korean drama voice…asked her to marry me.
Here’s our wedding photo that still continues to amaze people. Minhee looks her usual photogenic self and I’ve been told I look “very different.”
Yes, that is me and not Minhee’s first husband. 12 years and according to my guesstimation, 52 more years to go. Happy Anniversary, Minhee! And thank you, God, for the allowing me to journey through this life with this partner of passion, vision, and mission.
Feel free to share advice and encouragement.
And we always welcome your prayers for our marriage, family, and pursuits to be recipients and agents of transformation.
Wow. You look so different.
Happy Anniversary!
I have been praying for you both.
Minhee has a special place in my heart. She is beyond words.
Good for you!
Happy happy anniversary! Your wedding photo is wonderful. What an awesome journey you two have travelled so far and we know God has so much more planned beyond what we can conceive. Blessings.
CONGRATULATIONS! Wishing you joy and peace throughout the remainder of your years! Blessings!
Warm Regards,
EP
Congratulations to you both. You are truly blessed!!
Happy Anniversary, guys.
Happy Anniversary to you both! Sign me up for babysitting duty sometime…..seriously.
Congrads! I pray for many more great years with you and your wife. But dude what is up with that hair on your wedding photo? I couldn’t recognize you.
In the middle of our honeymoon period (probably 2 mos), an older, wiser man said, “It gets better.” I couldn’t imagine how. But, boy, does it get better!
And you make fun of Steve for his changing hairstyles! Happy anniversary!
Haha, you DO look different now – but change is a good thing. Congratulations to you both and wishing you 12×12 more!
congrats to you both. you have 10 more years on me and that is impressive.
Happy anniversary, Eugene! May you folks have many more just as blessed.
Peace,
Matthew
right on, Eugene. Congrats to you guys, your marriage is an inspiration to other couples (like lauren and I). I only have one question about the earliest photo of you- did you enjoy battling Ralph Macchio in Karate Kid part II?
Happy Anniversary! I only wish the best for you and your family.
What happend to you?
you guys are my role models
Congratulations brother, you and Minhee, you all look radiant together!
wow! I guess seminary does change people!
congratulations on a wonderful life together. you are a blessing to many!
You should have gotten your hair cut for this anniversary… and taken an exact copy of your wedding photo…
How funny would that be ! ! ! !
that photo with the ampersand is awesome! who took it?
@LP: me too. i love that photo. it was taken by none else than our 10 year old daughter. coincidentally, the photo got published in a magazine this month. or rather, it was used for a story about our poverty org.
happy anniversary, e & m! always thinking and praying for you and your family. wishing you the best.
Congratulations……You make a lovely couple…. may many years to come to pass & may God bless you both in happiness, love, and peace with eachother forever….amen.
“Rahab”