Posted on 11/05/2005 2:01:00 PM PST by ohioWfan
Today you are celebrating your 28th wedding Anniversary................not in the White House, at the ranch, or even in this country. But we are celebrating this joyous and remarkable occasion with you here, and thanking God for your lives and what they have meant to us. You are being supported in deep and fervent prayer by millions of prayer warriors who have been lifting you up daily since before you took up residence in "The People's House" nearly 5 years ago. This is the fifth anniversary that you have celebrated since you became President and First Lady, and they have been years filled with great tumult and pain, but also great joy and love.
How we have benefited as a nation from having you two in the White House! Many may have forgotten what a joyful day it was in January of 2001 when you moved in and 'cleaned up the place,' ..............but we have not. We have not forgotten the honor and dignity that you brought back to a residence that had been degraded and dirtied, and we are still thankful for that day, and all the days since. Most of us didn't know you very well then, but in the five years since, we have seen what's inside you both........... your character, your strength, your integrity, your humor, and your deep and abiding love for each other.
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Your story is a love story that has been, and remains a positive example to us all.......... whether we are married, single, young or old. It is not a story carefree and filled with ease, but rather one tested by fiery trials, and we have asked "How long, O Lord?". And yet, through those trials, we have seen you both shine throughout the difficulties, and many times have asked, "How do they do it?" But those of us who have been watching you closely now know well what the answer to that question is.
You have endured.........with an abiding joy and peace........all the trials that have been thrown at you, because of your shared faith in God, the prayers of His people for you, the love and support of your family, and the love you have each for the other, with the strength that it gives you both. 
Laura, many years ago, you told us that you and George were each other's refuge and support, but we didn't know then what the future held, and how important that quality in your marriage would be The years since have seen a horrific attack on America, which revealed in you the deep courage you each possess,
a time of war and testing that has revealed your steadfastness, and the ceaseless attacks of a political enemy that cares neither for truth nor decency, and is continuing its assault on a daily basis with ever darkening overtones. And yet, through it all, you have remained vibrant and at peace, and in that we have seen answered prayer.
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and gazed adoringly into the other's eyes, and celebrated that those dances meant four more years of watching you grow in beauty and Godliness. We laughed as the leftist press found fault with the President's affectionate 'bottom pat' of his beloved wife in church........ as though it were somehow scandalous..........knowing that it only revealed in you such a love-filled life that it bubbles over any time, and wherever you may be. 
(What better way could there be to 'pass the peace' to one so much adored?) We got a deeper insight into Laura's 'wicked sense of humor' (Jenna's words), by the way you teased the President in a delightful comedic display at the press dinner. We have watched you work together in love for others. Over and over again, we continue to observe both the steadfastness and the playfulness of your relationship............both elements of which are necessary for the kind of marriage that withstands the pressures and tests that come along in a lifetime.
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How we wish for you continued joy and ever growing passion! How we celebrate that the man whom God has chosen to lead America at this hour of great challenge is also an example of a Christ-like husband in a God-centered marriage, and that his wife reveals the qualities of the Proverbs wife, whose husband has complete confidence in and greatly values. 
How we respect you for being a part of a truly 'covenant marriage'..........a union that honors your binding agreement, sealed by the One who placed you together. We know that no outward circumstances can tear you apart............that the two of you exemplify the wedding ceremony illustration of two pieces of flypaper that, once bonded, cannot be taken apart unless they, themselves be torn.
We pray for you. We love you.......... and we wish you the happiest and the most romantic of all anniversaries! 
(And we anxiously await finding out if you received diamonds from your faithful husband, Laura!) May your love continue to grow, as you care more for the other than you do for yourselves, and as you continue to commit your lives to God in obedience and sacrifice to serve America.
May you continue to be the love of each other's lives, the satisfaction of each other's every need and desire, the joy and passion of each other's days and nights, the recipients of each other's tender kisses and touch, and the completion of each other's very being!
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What an absolute, indescribable joy and honor for us, that you two have brought such dignity, grace and unconditional love to OUR White House.
God Bless you both and here's wishing you many more years of blissful happiness.
You're right--it was a GREAT day, even the frozen feet and fingers. I had warmers in my purse and finally realized they would help me more if they were in my shoes and gloves. Once I put them to use, I forgot about the cold and about that same time is when the President and First Lady turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue and then got out of their car. I was about halfway between that point and the viewing stand. It was AWESOME.
I think I WILL snag that pic. LOL Thanks for the idea!! I do have a coupel of pics that my friend took as they passed in front of us. One is a direct side view and the other is a view about half way between the side and a frontal.
Oh..........THANK you, lady!! You know that every word comes from my heart. God bless this couple!
A nice tribute Ohio!
That must have been an amazing moment, Pat. You were part of history...........truly an AWESOME experience!
Thanks for sharing in it, SoCal!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS BELOVED LAURA, and many more.
Lyrics to The Anniversary Song, by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin
Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed
We vowed our true love, though a word wasn't said.
The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies
Except for the few that were there in your eyes.
Dear, as I held you so close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms,
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
My darling, I love you so.
The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on.
Could we but recall that sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love is unaltered by time.
Dear, as I held you so close in my arms
Angels were singing a hymn to your charms,
Two hearts gently beating, murmuring low
My darling, I love you so.
I remember watching Gerald and Betty Ford dance to that WAAAYYY back.
What wonderful words! Very romantic!
(And I missed the Dose in all this flurry of activity here.....I'll be over to take a look posthaste!)
Happy Anniversary Mr. President and First Lady! Wishing you many more! God Bless You!
THank you Ohio. We LOVE YOU, Mr. President and Lady Laura! Don't believe a word in the MSM and the Dems. Happy Anniversary! Ohio, do you have the pic when they were in the Russian palace that someone else mentioned? I missed that one and would love to see it. Thank you. - Rocky Mountain Mama
I waited patiently for your's to load (well worth it!), but I had to skip over a few in the thread. One of my problems is that if I reply to a post, I have to wait for the original pics to load again. Is there a way to avoid this?...if so, please freep mail me the instructions. As much as I love our President, I don't want to spend all night reloading the same pics. LOL
Thanks for joining us pattty with an extra 't.' :)
I posted it a little later in the thread, but couldn't fit it into the tribute itself....
It's one of those private/public moments..........and I LOVE it!
I don't know of any.........but I'll be happy to freep you just the text if you'd like.......
HAPPY 28th ANNIVERSARY, PRESIDENT and MRS. BUSH!!!
It was. I didn't want to take the time after the first inauguration to wait for the parade, but this time, I was blessed to have tickets so close to the viewing stand, plus I KNEW the history involved, so wanted to see it.
First election I went to the inauguration, then had to rush back to hotel to change clothes for a 4:00 afternoon ball (business attire) and then rush back to hotel to change clothes (evening attire) for the inaugural ball. Keep in mind that there's no such thing as a taxi during the day. This time I did the inaugration, parade and inaugural ball. Less hassle and one less time to change clothes. LOL It was THE MOST exciting time in my life both times, because I knew history was being made in more ways than one.
I feel so fortunate to be able to have gone, but as of this moment, I'm not sure I ever want to go again (unless Jeb gets elected). It is a total rat race almost. Securing tickets for everything is almost impossible and I don't think I want to have to go thru that again either, but there was something about this president that made me feel I just HAD to be there. It started with my flying to TX for election nite 2001. I knew something special and historical was happening and I wanted to be a part of it. I feel anything after President and Mrs. Bush will almost be a let down. Does that make sense?
BEAUTIFUL lyrics and so fitting for this wonderful couple.
Thanks!!
Here's the photo that just missed the cut in the tribute.........
History.
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