Eighteen Years!
Eighteen is the natural number following 17 and preceding 19. It is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1,2,3,6, and 9. It is the atomic number for argon. (I can tell you are impressed.) In many parts of the world 18 is the age of adulthood. You can vote, own property, carry a gun, and marry without parental consent. You will also be tried as an adult if you break the law. At 18 you can join the armed services. At 18 we send our children off to college. Best of all, in the great game of golf, 18 is the number of holes in a round.
You are probably wondering why I am fixated on the number 18. Well it was 18 years ago that Lori and I were married. In the time it takes for a child to become a recognized adult I have been married. You would think I would know more. You would think I would understand our differences better. You would think that I would think. That is our hope at 18.
When I ask Lori, "How have you been able to put up with me these 18 years?" She normally quotes Proverbs 14:4. "Where there are no oxen the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest." In other words an ox will make a mess. However, they are a necessary. She assures me she means that in a nice way!
In Hebrew the word for life is (chai). The numerical value is 18. It is customary in Jewish circles to see 18 as an expression of blessing for a long life. I can't believe it has been 18 years. As our marriage has reached adulthood I thank Lori for our life. I couldn't imagine life without her. And at 18 our life together has just begun.
September 20, 2006