Faith, Family, and the beauty of Everyday Grace

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words that make a marriage
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

words that make a marriage

I hold my husband's hand and remember that our lives, and those of our kids and grandkids, began because of God’s love for humanity and, specifically, for the passion and adoration He’s given us for Him and for each other.

Strong marriages make strong families which, in turn, make strong societies.

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Dear Younger Me
grief, Life Debbie Prather grief, Life Debbie Prather

Dear Younger Me

May 14, 1985 

Dad died in the hospital today. Why, why, why, why, why? Why wasn't I taken instead? Mom, Karen, and the boys could live fine without me. How will any of us survive without Dad?

June 9, 2023 

Dear Younger Me, 

These are such good questions.

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Marriage Looks Like This
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

Marriage Looks Like This

Marriage looks like a desperately needed, intertwined nap on a lazy, rainy afternoon and later chopping vegetables, side by side, for a favorite Sunday soup recipe.

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your people
faith Debbie Prather faith Debbie Prather

your people

She looked breathtaking in her wedding dress.

When her nine bridesmaids danced through the bedroom door to get a first glimpse, many of their eyes filled with tears. They were happy for her and overcome with joy to see their dear friend wearing the gown she'd soon be married in.

Hosting the entire wedding party for the three previous days was exhilarating. What I had anticipated to be an exhausting week turned out to be life-giving and energizing.

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the affair
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

the affair

I'm having an affair.  I should feel very, very guilty ... but I don't. He's a married father of three. I'm also married with three children. I happen to know his children very well.  In fact, I've known his wife my whole life. I am her, she is me. I'm having an affair with my husband.

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just go to bed angry
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

just go to bed angry

Craig and I locked hands during the ceremony.

We were touched to see Brett and Collin serve as ushers, and Brett escort Craig's sister, the mother of the bride, down the aisle to her seat.

Marina soaked in every second and loved seeing her cousin appear with her adoring dad, our brother-in-law, by her side. He was an attendant at our wedding twenty-six short years ago.

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Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

where it all began

It began in the spring of 1985.

Actually, let me back up. It began, specifically, at 12:30 a.m. on December 26, 1984—the first time Craig and I said "I love you" to one another.

I was a month over seventeen, a senior in high school, and Craig had just turned nineteen the week before, a college freshman home for Christmas break.

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