10 Years

Once upon a time there was a young man and a young woman who had bright hopes and big dreams for the future--and they committed to take it on together.
On a bright, unseasonably warm early February afternoon, they gathered with about 200 of their dearest friends and family members at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. They made promises that they didn't fully understand the implications of...to love, to persevere, to be committed come what may.

They didn't know that "for better or for worse" would mean 3 moves, 2 mortgages, infertility, deaths of loved ones, long distance separation through 2 months of hospitalization, triplets, near death for one spouse and medical scares for children...just as the major headlines.

They assumed this process of two becoming one would require some adjustments. They failed to account for the tearful conversations that would have to happen along the way about things like how to make each other feel loved, how to manage money and the importance of kindness even when severely sleep deprived.

The dragons to be slayed in this fairy tale were those of selfishness, ego and unrealistic expectations.

She didn't realize that her vows to love meant learning that eye rolling, sighing and sarcasm do not generally communicate love very well--and that learning what to hold back would be one of the most important things she could give.

He didn't realize that taking out the garbage, bathing the children or helping wash the dishes would be such powerful ways to communicate love to her.

Neither of them could fathom that 10 years later it would feel even more intimate to say "I love you" because of the depth and the breadth of that history.

They didn't know details...but that was part of the adventure they were embarking on. What an amazing first decade it has been!

A few nights ago my husband and I were having a conversation about how very blessed we are in this season of life. It is a bit unsettling really-- how happy we are, how much we love each other, that our children are healthy.

I looked him right in the eyes and admitted what scares me to the bone, "You know it won't always be this good. Life will bring us heartbreak on this Earth."
"I know," he replied.
"But we will take what comes together, right?"
"Absolutely," he assured me, "no matter what."

There was no formal renewal of vows, just a reaffirmation of what we committed 3,650 days ago.
Two became one, come what may. The security of that covenant is a precious and beautiful gift. We know no more about what the next 10 years hold than we did about these...but we love and know the One who does. That is enough.

To God be the glory!