Awakening to Truth
Love thru the decades; yesterday was Valentines Day in many countries around the world, and yes we in the Banks household celebrated it too. The day began with the common exchanges of greetings, the chocolates and flowers and yes the exchange of cards.
Yes we participated in the consumerism of the day, helping Hallmark and the Chocolate Candy companies garner more profit in the first quarter of 2025. But this day would end with a proverbial bang as Tina and I celebrated Valentines day together for the 40th time!
You read that right, we have been together for 40 Valentines days. Two of them prior to our marriage and Thirty Eight of them during our years of wedding bliss. We were awakened to this truth as we shared Dinner together at a Tai Restaurant. My beautiful bride had planned the evening that entailed dinner, a candlelight concert, dessert and finally home to cap off the night together, (details of that wondrous occasion to remain secret to only those who attended. ; )
Concert to remember
Tina had set us up with tickets to a candlelight concert, which if you live in the DFW area and you have not attended, you should. Very intimate and romantic setting for couples to reflect and enjoy each other’s company while listening to world class music performed by some of the best artists the DFW area has to offer.
This night was all about love and romance and we heard songs played on the piano from Chopin and other classic arrangements to modern day songs like “Perfect” and “I will always love you”. It was a magical time with nothing but Piano, Candlelight, and the woman I love. (Surrounded by other couples and a few kids of course, but it was definitely worth the price of admission).
Mix Tape of Love
The eras covered by the songs played, caused us to reflect on our life and the stages of our marriage throughout. I felt it would be a good idea to reflect through song, the 4 decades of love and our life together.
BT – Before Tina
Before jumping into the Decades I thought it a great idea to start out before Tina and I were a thing. The song best describing this period is by the Beatles. “Til there was you” 1963. This song describes me before my bride and countless other people that still today, choose to avoid Valentines day because there is, as of yet, no YOU!
Honorable mentions: “You’re the one that I want” 1978. John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, “Endless Love” 1981. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
Decade One, the first 10 years
The time captured in this decade is 1985 to 1995, lots of great music in this decade. In this decade, we dated, became engaged, were married and went through our first seven years. The song I think best captures our first 10 years is “Groovy Kind of Love”, 1988, by Phil Collins. I believe it accurately defines the stage of marriage in which we were learning to “Leave and Cleave”. Figuring out who we were as individuals and as a couple.
Other honorable mentions for this decade were, “Crazy for You” 1985, Madonna and “I’ Would Die for You” 1985, by Prince.
Decade Two, the second 10 years
Our second ten years was the most challenging for our marriage. The decade spanned 1995 to 2005, there was much heart break and upheaval during this time. Much of which had to do with me. But God and my wife are faithful, and because of them, we made it through. I think if Tina were choosing this song it would be “My heart will go on“, 1997. By Celine Dion. My pick for this decade is “Because you loved me“, 1996. By Celine Dion. I owe everything to God and my courageous wife and it is only because both she and God loved me that our story continues.
Other honorable mentions: “Breath“, 2000 by Faith Hill, “You’re Still the One“, 2003. Shania Twain
Decade Three, the third 10 years
The third decade starts in 2005 and goes to 2015. I would categorize this decade as the growing years. Though some of the years were tough with loss of family members, we grew in our love for one another tremendously during this time. It was chaotic and messy, but it was life together. Our kids grew up our daughter married and we were one year away from empty nesters! The song that best describes this decade is “Everything“, 2007, by Michael Buble.
Honorable mentions for the decade: “Lucky“, 2009, Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz, and “Just the Way You Are” 2010, Bruno Mars. “Endless Love“, 2012, Lionel Richie and Shania Twain, “Making Memories of Us“, 2005, Keith Urban, for Tina I have to enter “All of Me, 2013, John Legend
Decade Four, the present 10 years
We find ourselves just finishing the fourth decade, 2015 to 2025. We are in what I would deem the Best of the decades, though at the time I would have likely said that about each of them, no matter what we were going through. During this time, we became empty nesters and Grand Parents. God moved us to Texas, and in our obedience He has blessed us tremendously. My choice for the song that represents this decade is “Thinking Out Loud” 2015, Ed Sheeran. Beautiful song that represents how our love just continues to grow as we continue to grow together.
Honorable Mentions: “Perfect” 2017, Ed Sheeran, “Adore You”, 2019, Harry Styles
Mix Tape Decade Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed the walk through our decades and the love songs we associate with our decades. Marriage is hard, complex and incredibly rewarding all at the same time. Life really is all about making memories and leaving a legacy. My prayer is that our story and the way we loved, inspires others to seek more for their lives and marriages. When Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us life and that life, more abundantly. He wasn’t talking just about our eternal reward. He meant this life today, right now. Your life, your marriage does not have to be just OK. It can be great, but all greatness requires work and diligence in seeking it. Why not seek more???
Thanks for playing along. Remember all of life is ministry!
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