Theirs is a love story that only God could have arranged. Almost twelve years ago, Judee and Jeff were introduced by mutual friends. Jeff is serving a life sentence* in prison. They began by writing letters, then visiting once in a while, sharing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ together. Over a period of several months, their love grew and blossomed in these very unlikely circumstances.

Many have asked how such a relationship could have any grounds, how it could thrive...why would someone want to marry someone doing a life sentence? These were questions often wrestled with over the past few years. But, God in His infinite wisdom had a lot to teach this couple about Himself and each other along the way... March 13th, 1998 was the day they publicly expressed their love and commitment to each other in the eyes of a few friends and, more importantly, before God.

Since we weren't able to have many guests, this is our way of sharing our ceremony with our friends and family... thank you for joining us! Please sign the guestbook and let us know you were here...God bless you!

What is a prison wedding like? I'm sure it's different, depending on where you are...here's our experience:

No music, no flowers, no pictures... simplicity... a few friends, each other , the Lord...and love! The Springfield State Prison is a former college made into a medium security facility. The visiting room is on the lower level of where the library used to be. (The prison library is on the upper level). We were married in a semi-private room off of the visiting room with a guard looking on. Present were: Jeff & Judee (of course), Judee's three sons - Jeremy, Jonathan and Joshua, special friends Sharon, Joe and Karla and our minister, Pastor Dennis. Pastor Dennis used to be a prison chaplain and was chaplain at the University where Judee just graduated. It was special for us to be married by someone we both knew. (People being married at the prison don't always have that option).

The bride wore a simple cream-colored dress with a flower print, the groom in his blue jeans and gray t-shirt (no special allowances here - but he was handsome as ever!) We all stood in a kind of semi-circle... small and intimate.

Pastor Dennis read from I Corinthians 13:4-9a

"Love suffers long and is kind: love does not envy; love does not parade itself, it not puffed up: does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."

We were reminded that due to the circumstances, we may have to deal with more of the long suffering (not necessarily with each other), envy (not having what others might have), bearing all things (including the system).

We exchanged traditional vows - and pledged to love, honor and cherish each other until death parts us.

Jeff & I wrote words to say to each other during the ring cermony. We were both nervous and had to read them...

From Jeff to Judee:

Lord, I first want to give you all the glory and praise! Judee, I know the Lord has brought us together. On this day, we give ourselves away to each other - I know first we give everything to the Lord.

Honey, I want us to reflect and always be God's example for others. Judee, I am willing to sacrifice everything for you. I want to always make you feel happy. I will care for you as I know the Lord wants me to care for you.

I must learn to appreciate all your needs, helping you to become all you want to be. I must honor and respect and show my love to you always. In our commitment to Christ and to one another, no matter what problems we may have or conflicts, we will continue to serve and be committed to the Lord.

May we always express our love and caring in both words and actions. May we continue to pray together and give God all the glory. May we serve the Lord together always and forever and God will continue to bless us both.

From Judee to Jeff:

Remember the song I sang for you on tape, "Only God Could Love You More?" I started thinking of all the "Only God..." things that we experience in our lives. Only God could hang the stars... Only God could have dreamed up the universe and made it all work... and then I thought about it on a more personal level.

Only God could have arranged our meeting - especially if you look at the life I was living only a year or two before. Only God would know who would be perfect for me. Quite a few years earlier, He had given me a standard for a mate when I was broken and disillusioned with married life. I was determined to stick with the standard. I tease when I tell people about my "standard" and say that God forgot to include that he not be in prison ... but God knew...

Jeff, you bring so much joy into my life...you've taught me to appreciate the small things and to take life one day at a time (I still have a ways to go on that one!) Your example of discipline in your walk with the Lord provides me with security and also a standard to set my sites on in my own life. Your positive attitude in the midst of all the negatives, humbles me - I complain to much about trivial things. Your circumstances (and now, our circumstances) have taught me to look at the bigger picture and look beyond my own pain to reach out to others.

Only God could have put you in my life to show me things about myself...so I can be more like Him. Only God deserves the honor and praise for the love we have for each other...only God can sustain us for what lies ahead...only with God at the center of our lives, can He be glorified and we be fulfilled in our purpose for Him.

Honey, I hope I can be the help-meet in your life, to be what God wants me to be for you. I pledge to love you, honor you, cherish and respect you, whether you are behind these walls or whether God brings us together on the outside. We will take it one day at a time...and be what God wants us to be.

And yes, we were allowed to kiss!

Inspirations and examples in my life are my parents, Bruce & Sherrel, married over 52 years and my grandparents, June & Carl who were married over 60 years.

Thank you for sharing with us! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2b)

*life sentence in South Dakota means the rest of your life - without the possibility of parole.