Hi friends. I've been trying to do one post every three months, but Camille really wanted me to send this post out. We had our 15th wedding anniversary on May 28 and she wanted to renew her vows. Since she cannot renew them physically in front of others, she dictated them to her phone.

Super quick health update: After 2+ months of very welcomed improvement, Camille had a downturn on May 18 (not sure why!), but it wasn't too severe. She stabilized and has even improved slightly from that downturn, though she is not as well as before the downturn.

Renewal:

Twenty-five years ago, I met Chris Morris in the seventh grade. First impression: this kid is loud, thinks he's all that and a bag of chips, and shares the resemblance of some sort of reptile.

Twenty years ago, I found out in our 11th-grade religion class that Chris and I had both become Christians during the same period of time. My respect for him grew exponentially that day.

Nineteen years ago, after Kyle Delbar's 18th birthday party, I officially decided that I liked Chris.

Seventeen years ago, Chris Morris told me he liked me but didn't want to date me. Ummm, that's cool, but also confusing? Sure, he had his reasons, something like he wanted to focus on school. A few months later, he took back what he said about his feelings for me. Again, he had his reasons. Did I think they were good ones? No, not really. Was it an awkward and disappointing conversation? Of course, it was. But no harm was done and I left that day thinking the Chris Morris saga was over and it was time to move on.

About six months later, Chris wised up, saw the error of his ways, and asked me to be his girlfriend.

Eight months after that, he realized he couldn't live without me, so he asked me to marry him.

On May 28, 2010, we stood under two intertwining oak trees that had lights hanging from the branches and exchanged vows. If you were not at our wedding, let me just tell you, my husband's vows are INFAMOUS. The vow I remember most vividly is, "Camille, I will love you, even if you get a terminal illness." Chris Morris is a man of strong conviction and definitely does not mince words. He wanted to make it very clear to me that he was all in, till the very end. Really though, isn't that what marriage vows are? Telling your future spouse that no matter what curveball comes your way, you will be by their side, working through it, till your very last breath.

I get quite emotional thinking about those two young kids who said, "I do," on that beautiful spring day, not knowing what was ahead of them, and now knowing what has unfolded over the last 15 years. That specific vow has been put through the fire and come alive before our very eyes. I am in awe of not only the strength and capacity that God has given Chris to manage so much, but even more so, the extraordinary, sacrificial love Chris has grown into. The kids and I are so blessed by all of his hard work and love for us. No matter what pains or challenges we've faced in our marriage, Chris has continually renewed his vows, telling me in word and deed, "Camille, I love you. I'm committed to you, and I will never give up on our marriage." But in this last season, he has taken it to a whole other level, and my heart has melted in deeper love and appreciation for him. God's love is being beautifully displayed through Chris, leaving a lasting imprint on my heart and three very young, precious, and impressionable hearts.

If I had more energy, I would brag to you all day long about everything he has done, all that he is doing, and the humble, loving heart he is doing it with. But since I have extreme limitations, I will leave you with a public renewal of my vows to my husband:

Chris Morris, I praise God for you. I am so proud of you. You are an incredible man. Thank you for your steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness and unwavering commitment to me. I know we wouldn't be here thriving the way we are without those things. Happy 15th wedding anniversary my ridiculously handsome, bearded man! (Seriously, have you seen Chris Morris with a beard? It's almost too much for me. My eyeballs practically pop out of their sockets every time he comes in the room, and then I have to secure them back in. Then he comes in the room again, and they pop out—it's a whole thing.)

I love you and I'm all in with you until the very end.

From The Center of My Heart,

Your Schneep, Camille

Of course, we must kiss after the vows are renewed: