Today Karen and I celebrate 25 years being married. What an adventure it has been! We aren’t sure at this point that we will get another 25 together, but I would take 1000 more with Karen if it were possible. She has been the penultimate partner and fellow pilgrim as we have watched the road unfold in front of us. Karen is not a risk-taker by nature and her idea of a perfect adventure most often includes a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace at home. And yet she has walked many paths most people have never even looked down, much less traveled. Not only has Karen triumphed in the trails and celebrations, she has overcome with style! She reminds me of Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. While everyone around her is stoked for the unknown challenges ahead, she’d rather stay home, but ends up being the reluctant adventurer anyway. And, just like Bilbo, the cautious traveler ends up being a hero!
Karen has proven that God has given her the stuff that matters. She has true spiritual, emotional, physical and relational grit. She has been thrust into more life struggles than you can shake a stick at (I just wanted to use that phrase). She has dealt with far too many ‘early’ deaths, my many health issues, living in two countries and four different times zones and usually in a home she couldn’t call her own, financial insecurity as well as the many pressures of a life laid down in service of others. And through it all, Karen has remained the steady anchor for our family and others around her. She never complains, she’s rarely impatient, she always smiles and greets you with love and tenderness, she keeps plodding along with her servant’s heart and sets an example of grace, mercy and love to all. She is, without a sliver of doubt, the single greatest gift I’ve been given outside my relationship with the Lord.
On our tenth anniversary I wrote Karen a song and had my friend Jon Buller record it in studio for us. Jon has a true heart for genuine worship – the kind of worship that puts God in His place of sole-supremacy and not in the back seat of the MeMobile. Jon is one of Karen’s all-time favorite artists, likely her most favorite. Steven Curtis Chapman is also a top fave for Karen but I think Jon edges him out. (Jon, even if you’re second, it’s to SCC. That’s good company man, don’t be sad!)
Karen and I went to Florida for our tenth anniversary and while we were hanging out at the house, I played the song unannounced. I played it three times before she noticed. I think she was doing a puzzle or something. Suddenly, she said, “Hey, this is Jon Buller, right? But I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song.” She stopped and listened to the words more carefully and realized they contained a phrase that was uniquely ours:
“Forever in Him, Always for You”
We made this phrase up early in our relationship and it has been our creed through it all. It’s a commitment to depend first and forever on the Lord to guide and grow us personally, and second, a promise to always be for each other. We have written it on many cards, letters and notes. It’s been my ringtone on my phone for years and it’s even engraved on the inside of her engagement ring. It has brought us through many, many uncharted territories.
Karen quickly realized that this was not an ordinary Jon Buller song and I told her that I had written it for her and then Jon recorded it in studio. Once she heard me say that, she started it over and played it like ten times. She cried. I didn’t because I am the man in the relationship. Just kidding, we both wept and prayed together and asked the Lord to do whatever He wanted in our future days that would give Him the most glory and do the most good for others.
Until now, it’s kind of just been our song. She has shared it with a just a few people on great occasion but mostly it’s been ours. When she shared it with one friend, they made a comment about how it shows I have a softer, romantic side. Of course I couldn’t let that get out so I made sure it was never publicized again!
Anyway, it seems an appropriate year to share this with our family and friends – in honor of Karen and the the Lord, who has made her the incredible person she is to me, our family and so many, many more people.
Below you can listen to/download the song and read the lyrics.
Karen, you are beyond amazing and deserve so much more than I could ever give you. Fortunately, God can and will give it all to you. The words to this song mean even more today than the day they were written. I can tackle anything on the journey with you by my side. You don’t make the journey awesome, you are the awesome journey. Thank you for 25 – I’ll take as many more as He will give us.
Forever in Him, Always for You
Our journey it began, the first time that I glanced
at your heart through your warm, blazing eyes.
We laughed some and we talked,
we played some and walked.
Your friendship pure, your love knew no disguise.
And soon I knew, that it was you,
for which my heart knew my whole life had cried.
Forever in Him is how I see,
the mystery and beauty two becoming one can be.
Always for you, my promise is,
all my faith and all my love, as you and I are always His.
Forever in Him, always for you.
Some paths they have been tough, some rocky even rough.
We’ve been through sunshine and driving rain.
Your love and beauty, your grace and mercy,
have charted us through pleasure and through pain.
I know it’s true, I know it’s you
for which my heart knows my whole life has cried.
Forever in Him is how I see,
the mystery and beauty two becoming one can be.
Always for you, my promise is,
all my faith and all my love, as you and I are always His.
Forever in Him, always for you.
A ring, a circle, a symbol eternal,
my promise the same, to love you always.
A lifetime surrendered, a dying to live,
my prayer is the same.
The road we’ve traveled has not unraveled,
I am a sacrifice here, at your feet.
So never fear or doubt, for I’m committed
to make you holy and together be complete.
Forever in Him is how I see,
the mystery and beauty two becoming one can be.
Always for you, my promise is,
all my faith and all my love, as you and I are always His.
Forever in Him, always for you.
Forever in Him, always for you.
Congratulations and Anniversary Blessings to an amazing couple!
Gorgeous!! What a life’s refrain!! I am jealous.
Dear, lovely Wes and Karen – our wonderful Lord’s hand has been on you both in such amazing ways. Whatever he has for you ahead, it will show you how much he loves you. Love you both sooooo much. But He loves you more.
Congratulations Wes and Karen for 25 years anniversary . Your love for each other and God is a force to wrecked with. It is a love that is pure and beautiful. It is a love that is rare and one can only hope to find that kind of love to share a love fir each other and a love for God with faith that you both have. Sending my love. Miss you both.
Congratulations on 25 years of awesome. Blessings!
Congratulations! Love you much!
Happy 25th Anniversary, Karen and Wes! God has blessed you with each other! What a beautiful tribute to Karen! The words of “your song” are amazing! May God continue to walk beside you!
Happy 25th anniversary! What a beautiful song and a tribute to Karen. You all are in my prayers
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful tribute and a beautiful song!💗
Aw, Wes, you big, sappy romantic!! I remember hearing about this song and how you first shared it with Karen, but being think I heard the song before. Anyway, happy anniversary! You and Karen were such a huge help in helping us lay a solid foundation for our own marriage. We are so grateful for the example you have given us and the time you invested in us. We love you both!
Happy Anniversary Wes and Karen! Love you both so much, thank you for being such great examples of what it means to follow Christ with your whole heart and whole lives! ❤️
Happy Anniversary Wes and Karen! Thank you for sharing your life story, and your special song. Blessings!
Happy Anniversary, Karen and Wes! God bless you both and may He hold you in His loving hands. 🙏👆💐
Wow, what a beautiful song and testimony to your love for the Lord and each other!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your special song and phrase! May God Bless you both forever and always!! Happy 25th Anniversary to a very special couple! We are so Blessed to have you in our lives and miss you both like crazy!! Love ya! 🥰 Mark and Carol
Happy anniversary Wes and Karen. Thank you for sharing what true love is. God bless you and many more anniversaries to come. I love and miss you both very much.
Happy Anniversary Wes & Karen! May God continue to bless you both always and 4ever. I miss you both and love you all!!
Happy anniversary! Beautiful words, beautiful commitment!
You guys have always been relationship goals: both in marriage and spiritually. You offer so much encouragement, and strength, and challnege (which you probably think is a mispelling, but it is definitely French for “challenge”), just by being who God has made you to be.
Thank you for your example and the investment of love, time, and patience, that you poured into my life and marriage. Love you both a ton.
Wow! You guys are the real deal in Christ! Beautiful!
Wow! What an example of commitment to the Lord and marriage! God bless you both abundantly! Congratulation! Chuck and Sandy
Happy 25th Anniversary to two precious people! So glad you decided to share your story and this beautiful song with such genuine love expressed in the lyrics! Blessed to know you both!
Happy Anniversary to you. I concur with all the other posts. You two are a blessing and your life and marriage are an encouragement and glorify God.
Its ok if we men tear up bro. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your inspiration through the greatest gift any married man could have, our spouses. Take care friend. Talk soon. Kindly, Glenn
May Yaweh’s blessings continue to abound over your covenant! Con mas amor! Raul & Elvia Mesquita
Oh, thank you, Wes, for sharing this softness and Love! You and Karen are Divine Blessings!
Happy 25th Anniversary!
Forever and Ever! ❤❤
Congratulations to the two of you – and thank you both for your faithful love of each other – and following Him.
God bless you both – for now and forever!
Congrats to you both and what a blessing to those of us who have known you and your family. Thank you for sharing your love and life together.
Congratulations to Wes & Karen. Beautiful lyrics- I never knew you wrote a song. Always thinking about you all.
Wow!! Congratulations my friends.. Happy Anniversary!! you’re such an inspiration and beautiful example for all. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you so much more fun together ❤️ Love, big hug & prayers daily, Susan
Congratulations on 25 years of marriage. The song is absolutely beautiful and what a tribute of the love you have for each other and our Lord.
Happy Anniversary to one of my favorite couples, Larry and I love you both and thank the Lord for allowing us to have you in our lives for the time we did! You truly have made a impact on our lives!! Continued prayers!
Happy anniversary 💞! You two are a beautiful blessing and testament of your love for each other!
We miss you all so much. In our continual prayers 🙏🏼and thoughts 💭.
Happy 25th Anniversary to both of you!!
What a tribute to your lovely wife Wes!!
We love you both and trust you had a wonderful day together today!!
Beautiful words for a beautiful lady!! Congratulations to both of you!
We’re all celebrating your 25 years of well, and faithfully lived days together!
I am unapologetically praying for 25 more…
Happy 25th Anniversary!! I’m with Steve O. praying for at least 25 more!
Oh boy Wes! You have sure set the bar high for all those husbands out there! Lovely job! Congratulations to you and Karen! Such a beautiful example of love, commitment and Jesus first :-). Love you both and praying for God’s plan in the Coddington Tribe! Miss you all! XXOO