"Because love, at its most beautiful and sacred, can be brutally unromantic. It's about sacrifice, commitment and friendship. People don't really fall in love as much as they work their way there." [from here]
It's been a long time since I last wrote. December is crazy, especially when you work in the church (or two). And I haven't really known what to say. But today is our two year wedding anniversary, and it seems like there should be something said about that.
I can't say that these two years have been perfect. Adventurous, busy, full of change, and exciting, yes. But not perfect. To be honest I've made many mistakes that I wish I could take back. But marriage isn't about perfection. If it was, no one would be married. No, it seems to me that marriage is concomitantly beautiful and challenging because it requires you to love another person better than yourself, to care about the needs and desires of another person as much as your own, to identify and admit your own flaws because of their affect on the person you hold most dear. Our partner, or rather, our desire to love our partner well, can motivate us to make these changes and become better people. But this process is terribly challenging, because we (or, at least, I) can be very self-centered beings, and these changes are not at all easy.
In the past two years I have moved across state lines and fallen in love with a new city. We made dinners without a kitchen and washed dishes in the bathtub. I graduated from college and found a job. I cheered Drew on as he got a new job and finished his M.Div. We've made wonderful friends and have gone to a lot of weddings. We adopted a dog and learned to love even more. We have shared successes and failures. We have had great times and some not-so-great times. I can see my growth in some areas, and see where I have a lot more work to do in others.
But these two years are gone, and I can't wish them back. What I can do is press on. Marriage is the most challenging commitment I have ever made, and it is only with God's grace that I can hope to do it well, and believe that in two more years I will have made some more progress. Not for the sake of "success" in the world's eyes, but because I love my husband, and I would hope that in two more years I would have learned to love him better.
In the past two years I have moved across state lines and fallen in love with a new city. We made dinners without a kitchen and washed dishes in the bathtub. I graduated from college and found a job. I cheered Drew on as he got a new job and finished his M.Div. We've made wonderful friends and have gone to a lot of weddings. We adopted a dog and learned to love even more. We have shared successes and failures. We have had great times and some not-so-great times. I can see my growth in some areas, and see where I have a lot more work to do in others.
But these two years are gone, and I can't wish them back. What I can do is press on. Marriage is the most challenging commitment I have ever made, and it is only with God's grace that I can hope to do it well, and believe that in two more years I will have made some more progress. Not for the sake of "success" in the world's eyes, but because I love my husband, and I would hope that in two more years I would have learned to love him better.
So, my love, here's to you. For putting up with me and my crazy, confusing, and often selfish ways. For helping me to be brave and believing in me when I'm unsure of myself. For encouraging me to try new things. For sharing your family with me and for loving mine. For the impromptu gifts, late night waffle dates, and for killing spiders for me. You may be the most challenging commitment I ever made, but you're also the best one. Two years behind us, forever in front of us.
Happy Anniversary :)
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