My wife Cheryl and I celebrated thirty years of marriage on November 22 of last year. We have enjoyed a great marriage because we have honored our marriage vows and worked intentionally to strengthen our relationship. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without Cheryl and am deeply grateful to God for bringing her into my life.
Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I definitely found a good thing when I met and later married Cheryl.
Years ago, I made a list of the things that I want to be able to tell Cheryl when I am on my death-bed. My little list keeps me focused and reminds me to make the kinds of choices that will enable me to keep each item on my list.
I thought that today — Valentine’s Day — would be a good day to make my list public. Happy Valentine’s Day, Cheryl — with all my love.
10. I always spoke well of you to my family and friends.
9. I tried to express appreciation often and am sorry for the times I failed to do so.
8. I really did work hard at putting your interests above my own.
7. I never let the sun go down on my anger.
6. I would have laid down my life for you if faced with that option.
5. I always looked forward to seeing you and being with you at the end of the day.
4. I prayed for you daily.
3. I respected you.
2. I was completely faithful to you.
1. I loved you with all my heart.
Go Beyond 
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By: Gina on February 14, 2011
at 4:36 PM
Best.Blog.Ever. Love your blogs and all of the important work but nothing is more of a blessing than to see a man love his wife the way that God says to.
By: Kay Smith on February 14, 2011
at 5:35 PM
Omar – I want to thank you for my valentine! I am so blessed to have had 30 years of marriage with you, and thank God for bringing us together. I love you honey.
Cheryl
By: Cheryl Garcia on February 14, 2011
at 6:38 PM
WOW! I love reading your blog, Omar.
By: Sterling Greene on February 14, 2011
at 9:41 PM
I am proud of you, Omar! I love Cheryl for the beautiful minister’s wife she lives before us! What a huge blessing she was to work alongside. Her spiritual maturity is far beyond her years~ Thank you for reminding others what a Godly marriage looks like! Love you guys~
By: Celia Peace on February 14, 2011
at 10:36 PM
Celia…
Thanks. Cheryl and I treasure the years we were privileged to serve with you and Steve. We love you and are grateful for your friendship of thirty years.
Blessings,
Omar~
By: Omar C. Garcia on February 15, 2011
at 6:58 PM
What a beautiful thing to share on Valentines Day with Chery and with all of us. It should inspire us to make our own little lists. Miss you both and hope to make it to TX soon.
By: Becca Matlock on February 15, 2011
at 10:39 AM
Hey Becca,
We love and miss you and Dave as well. Be sure to “holler” when you are headed back to Texas.
Blessings,
Omar~
By: Omar C. Garcia on February 15, 2011
at 6:59 PM
Is it o.k. if I mention that my husband got me roses and chocolates? He is not great with words. smile
Happy Valentine’s Day, Omar and Cheryl.
Love,
Tammy
By: tammy swofford on February 17, 2011
at 12:41 PM
Roses and chocolates are great — worth a thousand words! Regards to Pat.
By: Omar C. Garcia on February 17, 2011
at 2:51 PM
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
By: Jody on February 22, 2011
at 7:52 PM
Good! Very good!! Thank you very much. I like this very much !!!
Mortuza
Bangladesh
By: Mortuza Biswas on February 25, 2011
at 9:06 AM