One
advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls
out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again.
~Judith
Viorst
Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary and I will be the first to admit that marriage is not for the faint of heart.
For one thing, it's not just about you anymore!
It's about living with another human being 24/7 and sharing the bed covers on a cold night!
It is seeing each other at our worst and still loving each other ... and just as important ... still liking each other.
It's learning to communicate and compromise with each other when we'd rather not.
Marriage is tough enough on a good day, but especially so when you really don't know how they are supposed to work .. right?
My parents divorced when I was quite young. Both remarried and the step-parents were not overly fond of having my two older brothers and myself underfoot, especially when they had kids of their own from previous marriages. To that end, my mom's second marriage only lasted around 5 years and we just never had much contact with our father over the years.
My only clue to marriage longevity was my mom's parents. It was obvious they loved each other, but that was the extent of it. However, it was enough for me to know that was the type of marriage I wanted for myself. Consequently, while most of my friends were marrying out of high school, I was in my early twenties before I agreed to say "I do".
My husband was luckier ... while his parents divorced when he was young, his mother eventually remarried an incredible man who took on the raising of two children as his own. I adore my "step" father-in-law. He is most awesome!
Our marriage has had it share if highs and lows, like most relationship. Divorce has come up several times over the last 29 years and only once was it a very real consideration and we managed to work out, but it was a tough time for both of us and something we are still working through ...
Has it been worth it? all the struggles, the arguments, the second guessing of the relationship ...
I have to say yes - yes it has.
Because we have two awesome kids that we raised together under one roof, there have been more highs than lows, more huggles than struggles and we are closer now than ever. We talk and plan more about our future together and we genuinely enjoy each others company.
I truly look forward to the years I have left with the love of my life.
Here is the card I made for him.
SUPPLIES
Card stock from Stampin Up!
DP unknown
Embossing folder from Darice
Heart die from Spellbinders
India Ink from Memories
Image & Sentiment from "Clocks" by Sizzix
