It’s my anniversary today – our 28th. Most married guys I know secretly live in dread of forgetting this big day – the ultimate faux pas for someone whose romantic pedigree may already have come in question.In preparation for our big day, I do things to pump myself up – taking myself out of the workaday task mode and conjuring up reminders of the suave guy I once was when I was wooing her. For example, there is the arsenal of poetry I used to write. Or, there are the blogs like these:
The good news is that after all those years together, Karen is thriving and we’re not doing so bad together either. Here are the things you know: She looks like a million bucks, she’s successfully done the lion’s share of the work in raising our kids, she continues to do the lion’s share of the work coaching our 32 World Racers (that’s her with Team 5-Alive in the pics here) and after all these years together she’s still a lot of fun.
But add to that the things that not everyone knows:
She helped start and run one of the best high schools in north Georgia.- She has become expert in raising a special needs child and invests hours of her days in this.
- She is a hostess to a continual parade of visitors in our house.
- She has successfully started a second career as a spiritual coach and mom to 20-somethings.
- Although she’s an amazing chef, she continues to work on her awesome culinary skills.
Yup – that’s one extraordinary woman. I sometimes shake my head at my good fortune in finding her. I have so much to be thankful for in life, but on this day, I’m particularly thankful for Karen. She lights up my life and the lives of so many others!
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Dear Dadi Seth and Mom Karen
We wish you very 28 years,Happy Anniversary to both of you.We daily pray for both of you.May God live long for His glory.
Yours in Christ.
Emmanuel & Sonera
oh man I want to get to know Karen now! She sounds pretty cool!
Hi Seth,
Karen is a treasure and more real and fundamentally authentic than just about any woman I have ever known in ministry. I especially appreciate her intuition about people and low BS quotient. 🙂 It’s been great knowing you both these 25 years….
You make me want to get married… one day.
I love the way you talk about Karen! Happy Anniversary to the two of you, lol Cxx
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! Thanks to both of you for the friendship, hospitality, and opportunities.
You’re a fortunate and blessed man Mr Barnes!
happy anniversary you two! i’ve enjoyed getting to know, what little time i’ve had with you.
ya know, jeff was reading this post to me (the part about all the things we don’t know about karen), and in seeing you as his mentor, i thought maybe he’d learn a few things from you. i asked if he’d ever write something like this about me, and he said if any of it was true.
so… maybe you could mentor him more specifically in this area. just a suggestion… 🙂
seriously – you two are great examples, and thanks for being an encouragement to us!
great post. I love how you and Karen understand each other. Maybe you could have her mentor Ashley? She obviously needs it. 😉
Happy anniversary to the both of you. You both did well in choosing a mate! You are always an encouragement to Barb and I. Keep up the great work.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SETH AND KAREN!!! And yes, she is all that and more. God has done an amazing thing by placing the two of you together. Thank you Jesus, and in His name I pray blessings over you today!
Happy Anniversary!! Best wishes for today and over Christmas with your kids! Love, V&N
Congratulations on 28 years!!!! You are an awesome couple who have touched so many lives together and individually. May God bless you two with many, many more years together serving HIM!!!
began the day w/ breakfast in bed, courtesy of our kiddos (everyone on the bed along w/ the biscuits/bacon/scrambled eggs).
and now we’re concluding it w/ a romantic dinner out and a movie. thanks for all the well-wishing and kind thoughts, everyone. we love you all.
Congratulations!
yay! I’m glad your special day was great!
Karen IS such a blessing! I’m glad I know her and that I get to spend time with her. What a woman of wisdom! 🙂 Love you Seth and Karen!
congratulations on your anniversary! you guys have touched so many lives both on a personal level and through AIM. i’m in awe. we’ll be traveling through gainesville today on our way from tallulah falls to north misissippi as we make our annual Christmas rounds. whenever we go through there it reminds us to pray for the ministry and all the lives that are affected.
HAPPY (belated) ANNIVERSARY…
ahh, ya’ll are my cute parents. much love!