Happy Heart Day!

It is heart week at our house!

Last Thursday marked Paul's one year anniversary of receiving his new heart! I truly cannot believe a year has already passed. I guess the old adage "time flies when you are having fun" has proven itself true to me this past year. Paul is doing wonderfully and even though there has been a few new challenges and emotions involved with the process of receiving a donor heart, it has been an obvious walk in the park compared to the previous year. In fact, it's been more like a dream vacation! And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out!!!! It has been written all over our faces since the day Paul came home from the hospital!

Eden and I had fun decorating the house in red hearts, confetti, and balloons. She was so excited to surprise her daddy with all her hard work!

After Paul saw our surprise, Eden wanted to show him how she had done everything!

I love this picture of my two sweeties...

Such a special day!

We had a celebration lunch with family and friends and then Paul spoke that evening at Kingsbury Hall to kick off the Festival of Trees for this year. In fact, he has been awful busy speaking, performing, and traveling lately but it is such a blessing that he has the health now to do so. It makes me very happy. He loves being able to share his gratitude and give back because so many individuals blessed our lives while he was ill. I think we will always feel indebted to our family, our church, our community, and our God. I especially think we will always owe a debt of gratitude to Paul's donor. I know we both think of this individual each and every day. As I am driving or going about my day, I frequently see him in the faces of strangers. And then....

I wonder...often....

what was he like, what did he feel, did he feel loved, does he know how grateful we are, does he know of our love?

I didn't expect to feel such tangible love.....for a person I have never met.

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It has been so thrilling to relive in our minds the memories from the previous year. The memories are still so fresh and lucid. I remember so much fear leading up to the transplant but as Paul went in for the surgery I felt a great peace followed by an indescribable joy. And following that successful transplant....I felt a true high. It was unreal! It was a confirmation of miracles and God's divine capacities.

And I rejoice every day that what I desired for Paul was consistent with God's will.

I am a lucky gal!

I will never doubt His hand in our lives and I pray that Paul will have many more years to celebrate his special gift and second chance at life!