Update 1/9/26: 26 Years, 351 days

Psalm 34:18 “God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

My Sweet Wayne,

Today would have been 27 years of marriage. I’ve been thinking back to when I met you and you made me your wife. What a life we have lived together. So many memories and so many pieces of you left behind.

I still cannot believe that you are gone. I have realized that I have grieved you the last two years since we have been slowly losing you. Losing your physical presence has been rough. I miss your hugs, your words of encouragement, and all the little things you did when you could. You always made me feel like the most beautiful and loved woman. I am so thankful for how you loved me and helped encourage me to face my biggest fears and challenges.

I am doing my best to make you proud…including not being afraid to embrace my tears and grief. The kids and I are hanging in there. We have had moments of many tears, but other moments of laughter and remembering the old Wayne as we look at photos and watch videos. You’d be proud of the kids. They are pressing hard into Jesus, loving on each other, and showing such kindness and thoughtfulness to me. Sophia bought me flowers last night for our anniversary.

We are doing our best to make new memories, while celebrating the old. Tonight for our anniversary, we decided to use a gift card and go out for dinner. We will also do an escape room, since you know how much we all love that challenge. There have been some hard moments where I hate dealing with teenagers alone, but I can hear your encouraging voice telling me to keep going. Our church family and others have been such a blessing. God has been taken care of all the details!

I wanted to thank you for preaching sermons and having them recorded. Thank you for all the pictures you were patient with me to take, and thank you for making the videos with Inheritance of Hope. It is so refreshing to hear your voice before cancer stole that from us and you. We have enjoyed listening to your laughter and seeing all the energy you brought into a room. 

In the hard moments, I remember that you are worshiping God and that your faith has become sight! You are completely healed and that brings us such comfort. Songs, especially hymns, hit different and deeper. God’s creation takes my breath away even more, since you are in the presence of the Creator. 

I love you so much!! As much as I wish you were here with me today, I love you too much to wish you back to this earth. I just look forward to one day seeing you again and worshiping God together. Give my Opa, Oma, and Cori a hug for me. Jesus has been carrying me and just know I’m in good hands.

We will celebrate your life next Saturday. We have worked hard to create a service that points people to the One you lived for and loved. 

I love you with all my heart my beloved husband!

Rebecca