Happy Anniversary to Joni and Ken Tada – 43 years of marriage! Listen in as Joni talks about why she and Ken lean so hard on the Lord as a married couple.
SHAUNA: I’m Shauna with Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Thank you for joining us. And Joni, today you are celebrating something very special.
JONI: I sure am! Today marks the 43rd anniversary of my wedding to the amazing Ken Tada!
SHAUNA: Congratulations!
JONI: Thank you! And which [and I only just thought of this] because, not every radio host announces their wedding anniversary year after year, after year, but for some reason, I always do! I mean, I started recording my radio programs back in 1982. That was the same year I got married. And every July since then here on the radio – and 2025 marks 43 years – every July, I tell you, “Hey, it’s Ken Tada’s and my wedding anniversary!” So, why do I announce this milestone every year? Well, I think I do it because 43 years ago, there were people who [when they heard the news] said to Ken and me, “What? You two are getting married? Have you thought of what that means? Joni you’re a quadriplegic – you’re in a wheelchair. Isn’t life for you hard enough? And does Ken really know what he’s getting himself into?!”
Back then, I considered those people to be “alarmists, uninformed, even rude!” I mean, what did they know? Well, I confess, they knew a lot more than Ken and I did. Because right after we married in 1982, we experienced some pretty rough years. There were a ton of extra challenges for Ken Tada. Everything took longer. Often, we did not have enough help. There were unmet expectations. Extra expenses. Then, when we did get help, there were caregivers coming in and out of the house all the time. There were bruised feelings. Lots of things around the house didn’t get done. Now, this could describe any marriage, but when you add to the mix a significant disability, it gets doubly, even triply hard! And I do believe this is why I mention my wedding anniversary here on the program, every July. Because God [and his amazing grace] got us through and is still getting us through. His mercy has brought Ken and me this far. And to him be the glory because Ken Tada and I are happy. Despite all the challenges, we just think each other is the best. And looking back through those hard times, knowing what we do now? We would still tie the knot; we wouldn’t change a thing.
So, each wedding anniversary for Ken Tada and me is a blessed milestone. We can honestly say “thus far the Lord has helped us,” like the prophet said in 1 Samuel 7. After winning a battle that everyone else thought they would lose, God pulled his people through, and so Samuel set up a memorial and announced, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” And that’s Ken Tada and me! God pulled us through. It’s why and how we glorify his name. God always seems bigger, he always gets the most glory when people [like Ken and me] need him the most, and boy, do my husband and I need Jesus a lot! Ken and I lean hard on the Lord and that’s what we are celebrating on this wedding anniversary. We’re rejoicing that we’re the kind of couple who leans hard on our Savior.
Hey, Ken Tada and I did a little video, talking about our marriage and we’ve posted it today at joniradio.org. So, if you know a married couple who have recently incurred a disability, or an injury, or illness, share this program with them and point them to joniradio.org. Because I love sharing hope – the hope and the help of Jesus that’s found in every weakness. Visit joniradio.org and watch this video of Ken and me celebrating our anniversary.
© Joni and Friends