I've been married for 10 years, going on eleven. Marriage is much tougher than I ever thought it would be. There is nothing fairy tale(ish) about it.
But choosing to love and live each day with each other and not rely on feelings is what keeps us going. Along with our faith that marriage was meant to be forever.
Remembering 'how we were' makes us feel connected. We are more than just mom and dad to our two kids, we have our own connection that goes way back before they were born. We like to talk about what we did on our dates and where we would go, with our kids and they get a kick out of hearing us reminisce.Usually they acknowledge us with the ever popular eye-rolling.
We smile, because we remember. We remember us back then.
We remember us before kids, mortgage payments, jobs, and other responsibilities that seem to pile on when you grow up.
We remember the us before life seemed to take on a mind of it's own.
We look back at how far we've come since the day of our "I-do's."
And we remember why we started this whole crazy journey to begin with.
Life is busy and it's tough to maintain the same close connection we once had. You grow-up, sometimes in different ways.
Being intentional is key and talking about our past and future makes those roots grow even deeper.
One other way we try to keep the embers burning is having a date night at least once a month. Just the two of us. Alone. Sometimes we honestly can't think of anything other than the kids to talk about, because our world revolves around them so much. But still it's nice to get out of the house without them and talk about them without them hearing :).
I'm linking up over at Bonnie's for the Faith Barista Jam and at a Holy Experience. Come on over and see how the "community" is unwrapping love in their own way?
So true, when I look back into my life, being married for 5 yrs seems such a long time and its not easy. Marriage gives a sense of belonging and certainty in life.