About 15 years ago, we — Matthew and Tamara Shope — vowed to love and honor each other, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for the rest of our lives.

It has been an incredible decade of love, laughter and adventure. So many opportunities have arisen for us to put those vows into action, and we both know we are better for every one of those moments. Even – especially – the hard ones.

In those 15 years, we’ve learned how to foxtrot, build fences, grow grapes, pay debts, mend relationships, launch businesses and perfectly poach eggs. We have weathered layoffs, disappointments, the doldrums and really, really terrible movies. We’ve sung together during campfire songs, church hymns and countless concert encores. We’ve pitched tents in the rain, had bosque adventures, sledding collisions and kitchen triumphs.

We have the most loving and supportive families and friends a couple could ask for.

And a very, very big and amazing God.

By His grace, we march forward. Two lives, one path. Hand in hand. Waiting to bring home a Little Shope.