Sunday, December 4, 2011

Reflections of a 12 Year Marriage

Special occassions, like my anniversary, always bring me to a time of reflection.  Remembering how it all started and came together is fun and nostalgic and warms my heart.  We spend so much time worrying about our decisions in the moment, Is this the right path? What if it doesn't work out in the long term? I'm just not sure if this is God's will. I have so many opportunities, I don't know what to do!!, that we forget to breathe and trust God.  Hindsight is great for a morale boost!  I get a perspective like none other.  We get to see how it wasn't as bad as we thought it was going to be.  I get to look back and say, 'This has been a lot of fun and I have been so blessed...all that worry was for nothing!'.  It can be great for a kick in the pants as well, but I want to dwell on the good things today.

So, today, on my 12th anniversary I get to look back with love and appreciate the good times(family vacations) and bad (when Liam was a newborn and Rob left for Iraq & I had to finish moving us from Rockford by myself) ,the times when we were richer and the times we were poorer (and lived off of hot dogs and mac&cheese), when we had sickness and when we had health, and most importantly, when we have loved each other...foresaking all others. <3  We have had all these moments at different stages of our marriage...and thankfully, 12 years later, we still have each other.  From the night of our first date at Applebee's to today as we celebrate our marriage, I know that I have been loved.

I encourage you to look back today. How did you meet your spouse?  Where did you live when your first child was born?  How did it feel to take your son to his first day of highschool?  Relive the pride in your heart when you children perform in their piano recitals.  Remember those harried moments and the moments of bliss.  Remember the details of your life and how you came to be in this place at this time.  Maybe this day is your anniversary as well...look back at your marriage.  It goes by so quickly.  Take a moment to love it and appreciate it.  Remember what made you fall in love to begin with.  We sometimes need to remember why we jumped in in the first place. 

Happy Anniversary Robert.  I love you!