Our anniversary date was slightly less than ideal this year. Jacob went to Meme's house, and Lydia came with us since she will not take a bottle, yet. Our "date" involved shopping for a new oven range (ours died two days before Christmas), an unexpected dead car battery, and leaving a restaurant because of a screaming baby. Not exactly romantic, or even very fun, but that's life right now, and there's nobody I'd rather share the good and the bad with than Scottie!
During the first years of our marriage love was easy. We had nothing but time and attention for each other. I'm not saying we were the perfect married couple or that we didn't experience typical newlywed struggles, because we certainly weren't and we definitely did. But we were young and blissfully in love. ♡
However, after seven years of marriage, I think true, lasting love is more accurately reflected in where we are now. Don't get me wrong. I'm not discrediting our young love, because it was genuine. But over the years we've faced situations that have molded, stretched, and refined our relationship. I'm sure as the years go on our love for each other will continue to grow and evolve as we do, and for a marriage to last, I think it has to. These seven years have given us some invaluable insight to love and marriage...
●Love is messy. Last year on our 6th anniversary, Jacob and I had a stomach virus. As I sat rocking our sick baby, Scott cleaned up chucks of vomit from the carpet and scrubbed them from beloved stuffed animals, without complaining or gagging. I remember thinking I'd never felt more in love with him than I did in that moment.
●Love is a partnership. We're partners in everything. Disagreements and arguments don't end with a winner and a loser. We either win together or lose together.
●Love is showing each other kindness and giving each other grace, even when frustrations reach a boiling point. (This one is hard for me!)
●Love willingly bears burdens. A strong marriage isn't always comprised of two strong people. We take turns being strong when the other is weak.
●Love is facing a scary, uncertain situation together and making the decision to fully trust in God's provision. Uncertainties can strengthen our faith, as well as our relationship.
●Love makes sacrifices. Sometimes these sacrifices are huge, like putting a dream on hold, so your spouse can pursue his/hers. Other times these sacrifices are small, like offering to get up with the baby in the middle of the night. Regardless, love puts your partner's needs above your own.
●Love is a choice, not a feeling. Even when we sometimes struggle to like each other, we are always committed to loving each other. ♡
During the first years of our marriage love was easy. We had nothing but time and attention for each other. I'm not saying we were the perfect married couple or that we didn't experience typical newlywed struggles, because we certainly weren't and we definitely did. But we were young and blissfully in love. ♡
However, after seven years of marriage, I think true, lasting love is more accurately reflected in where we are now. Don't get me wrong. I'm not discrediting our young love, because it was genuine. But over the years we've faced situations that have molded, stretched, and refined our relationship. I'm sure as the years go on our love for each other will continue to grow and evolve as we do, and for a marriage to last, I think it has to. These seven years have given us some invaluable insight to love and marriage...
●Love is a partnership. We're partners in everything. Disagreements and arguments don't end with a winner and a loser. We either win together or lose together.
●Love is showing each other kindness and giving each other grace, even when frustrations reach a boiling point. (This one is hard for me!)
●Love willingly bears burdens. A strong marriage isn't always comprised of two strong people. We take turns being strong when the other is weak.
●Love is facing a scary, uncertain situation together and making the decision to fully trust in God's provision. Uncertainties can strengthen our faith, as well as our relationship.
●Love makes sacrifices. Sometimes these sacrifices are huge, like putting a dream on hold, so your spouse can pursue his/hers. Other times these sacrifices are small, like offering to get up with the baby in the middle of the night. Regardless, love puts your partner's needs above your own.
●Love is a choice, not a feeling. Even when we sometimes struggle to like each other, we are always committed to loving each other. ♡
Seven years down and forever to go...
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