Candace Cameron Bure and former NHL hockey player Valeri Bure are celebrating 22 years of marriage this year, and we couldn’t be happier for this sweet couple who sets a prime example of unwavering commitment to both God and each other.
With a skyrocketing divorce rate for the average American, a Hollywood marriage exceeding two decades practically sounds like an eternity.
But after officially being together for more of their lives than they’ve been apart, 41-year-old Candace and 43-year-old Valeri are all too aware that marriage is not something that comes easy. It’s something you fight for. HARD. Daily.
It’s a lifelong commitment that you choose over and over, through thick and thin. Whether it be the little things like dirty socks and toast crumbs on the floor or the big things like lost jobs and miscarriages — every marriage has its valleys. But it’s how you fight through them and Who you turn to in trouble that counts.
For Candace, that answer is quite simple: Jesus.
“The reality is the glue for us is Jesus,” she said in a recent interview with PEOPLE. “It’s the Bible. You know, when there are arguments or we’re compromising and in ways, it’s always like, ‘Well, let’s just go back to the Bible.’ It’s the foundation for us. So it’s not about winning or losing. But doing this journey together.”
Through the ups and downs, the Bures have continued to rely on “God’s Word and His grace” to stay the course, and it has made them more resilient each and every year.
Candace’s inspiring message of hope for the ever-disintegrating institution of marriage echoes a Facebook post she wrote on her 20th anniversary back in 2016.
The “Fuller House” star got ‘real,’ REAL fast about the not-always-rosy but oh-so-wonderful journey she’s taken with Val over the years in pursuing God’s heart first, and each other’s second:
“Let’s be real for a second. We are celebrating 20 years of marriage today. 22 years together as a couple. I couldn’t be more proud to be here and love my man the way I do. But let me assure you it hasn’t been all roses the whole journey. There have been several tough years, in a row, ups and downs, bad attitudes and bad decisions, but we’ve persevered. We rode them out. We loved each other through them. We kept the focus; God’s glory. We are both better for it. I’m so grateful and thankful for the man I married. Neither of us are perfect, far from it, and will continue to make mistakes because we are human. But God’s Word and His grace see us through- striving to be the best of ourselves in Him. To God be the glory. Thank you for an awesome 20 years together. I pray for another 60. Amen.”
How did Candace’s message encourage you to fight for your own marriage today? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
