“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." - Colossians 3:14
You held my hand as we chased our dreams and built our family. I know that with you by my side I can accomplish anything.
We agreed that alone time and date nights were essential to keeping the spark alive, even though our sense of romance would still change. We promised to always communicate because it’s the foundation of our marriage.
We learned so many things about each other. I’ll never forget the look on your face when you saw me tweezing my upper lip for the first time because you didn’t know women did that.
We learned that neither of us is perfect. It didn’t change a thing, though. I promised to try to work on my backseat driving. It’s still quite the work in progress.
We took that first year head on. It was a big one filled with home buying and a baby. It felt like we were in over our heads a time or two, but we always had each other to lean on at the end of the day.
You promised to stop leaving me the bottom-of-the-pot coffee. I learned that you actually aren’t a sweets person, but you’ve eaten everything I have ever baked without so much as a word. I never thought someone would know me better than I know myself. It sounds cliché, but it’s the truth.
We have grown into our marriage. It’s not new anymore. The romance isn’t always so exciting and fresh. We’re used to each other and have a routine. Sometimes we fall into ruts. Everyday life can feel rather mundane and boring. No one gets excited about grocery shopping and doctor appointments.
We have to work to keep that spark alive. We have to make the conscious effort to be husband and wife, not just dad and mom. I might get the butterflies now because you picked up my favorite $1.29 iced coffee on your way home instead of a bouquet of flowers. Our marriage is growing with us.
As we adapted to our roles as mom and dad, we were still husband and wife. We had to learn to be both actively. Neither role can afford to be placed on the back burner. We have developed quite the team.
This parenting thing is man-to-man right now, and the tiny humans sure do keep us on our toes.My days of full make up and trying to impress you are few and far between.
You now show off how quickly you can perfectly swaddle an overtired baby. I show off how quickly I can whip up our toddler’s many, many dinner requests. Our life is ordinary, but it is so incredibly beautiful.
We didn’t know what a lack of sleep would do to us, as individuals and a couple. It wears on a person’s temper and patience.
You get the short end of the stick sometimes when I’m frustrated. I get the short end of the stick when you’re tired and cranky. We still show up, and we vow to do better the next day.
We said “through thick and thin”—well, we are in the thick of things right now. The part where responsibilities and stress have taken over our lives.
A time where my attention is so often focused on our little munchkins who need me for everything, and where our conversations are so often interrupted by a sibling fight, a crying baby, or a spill.
We didn’t know what the sleep deprivation, endless piles of laundry, and other obstacles our future would hold, but we said “I do” anyway. We leapt. We put in the work each day because this? This is our forever. <3
Isn’t it beautiful and Amazing! We have learned, though, that we can lean on each other and we will make it through each day together. God as our vital support and foundation we are able to make it through!
Few Bible Verses on Marriage:
Ephesians 5:25: “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her."
1 Corinthians 16:14: “Do everything in love."
Proverbs 30:18-19: “There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don't understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman."
1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
Proverbs 31:10: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
1 Peter 3:7: “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."