Celebrating Seven Years!

Happy 7th Anniversary!!

Yes, seven years!  And, yes, this anniversary really is happy. Especially as it has drawn closer, I have heard people refer to the “seven year itch.”  I have even seen it happening to friends.  After only 7 years of marriage, one, or maybe both begin to realize that marriage has not turned out to be the fairy tale they imagined on their wedding day.  So, they give up, and go looking for something “better.”  As the realities of daily life creep in – the demands of work, the stresses of parenthood, the rising cost of living – the fantasy, the “happily ever after,” begins to fade.

Or, does it?  That whole scenario just makes me sad.  I guess I just don’t get it.  Sure, I understand how it happens, but I also know that it doesn’t have to.  And, I am so thankful to the Lord that it isn’t happening to us.  When we got married, 7 years ago, we made a commitment before God and to each other, to be in it “for better, or for worse.”  In other words, for life.  And, so far, the better far outweighs the worse.  That is not to say that it has always been easy, and I am not naïve enough to believe that the future will be problem-free.  But, by God’s grace we have determined to be faithful to our vows, and work through any difficulties together. 

I can honestly say that I am married to my best friend.  We are very different from each other, probably more so than we realized 7 years ago…but we balance each other well.  We challenge each other, we sharpen each other, and we learn from each other.  We have always worked hard to develop, and practice good communication.  We now consider this to be one of the greatest strengths of our relationship.  It has definitely helped us learn to work together, and allowed us to grow closer…regardless of the circumstance.

I thank God for giving us the last seven years together, and I am looking forward to many, many more!  Happy 7th Anniversary!  I love you!