Love Is Patient….

Today is my 22nd Wedding Anniversary.  TWENTY-TWO.  Can I get a “Yeah You”?

I’m cheering for myself, cheering for my Hubby, and cheering for my family today because let’s be honest for a moment, getting to 22 years of marriage these days is no small feat.  We were practically kids when we tied the knot.  I was 25, he was 26 and we felt all grown up…but were we? Two houses, a few career changes, 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a cat later, I’m not so sure.  Twenty-two years later we’re much older, much wiser now and I can tell you we are celebrating today thanks to love, work, forgiveness, humour, flexibility, and a little bit of luck.

Marriage can’t just “survive” on it’s on.  It’s a living being.  Love doesn’t just sustain.  It has to be in your every act of every day.

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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Corinthians 13:4-13

That’s all good BUT….what is love.  What is marriage?  It’s not just the mushy stuff.  Marriage and love, it’s also;

• Taking out the garbage even though it’s not your turn because the diapers are stinking up the place.
• Realizing that late night rendezvous with the man you love the most now include the children.  The children who are either up with nightmares, who are puking, or as they become teens are just not home yet and you are desperately waiting for them to get back.
• Figuring out how to have a conversation about the mortgage, taxes, new jobs.  You know, adulting.
• Agreeing on what’s for dinner.
• Love is saving him the last cookie and being happy to do it.
• Marriage is also being mad that he ate the last cookie.
• Deciding out who’s going to take the children to the dentist.  (hint: not me.)
• Marriage is taking turns cooking, cleaning and driving that carpool.  Even when you don’t feel like it.
• Marriage is about figuring out it’s best just to have 2 bowls of popcorn.  Life is too short to feel shortchanged about popcorn.
• Being the proudest person in the room when your partner has their biggest success.
• Marriage is knowing you can kick him out of bed for snoring and the world will not end.
• Celebrating not just birthdays, and holidays together, but celebrating every day together.  It’s also about realizing some days, you just have to put one foot in front of the other.  And that’s okay too.
• Marriage is having the same favourite TV show, and yet being able to white knuckle through “Forged In Fire” every once in a while because you know it’s his current obsession.
• Love is creating your own path and dreaming your wildest dreams right next to the one you love the most.
• It’s knowing no matter how stupid your idea, how far-fetched your dream, your partner in life will always have your back.
• Marriage is always having access to your BFF.
• Marriage is a series of epiphanies – like when you realize you’re getting a migraine and his chewing is driving you crazy – you can just turn up the volume of the TV.  This too shall pass.
• Love is being the first kiss in the morning and the last kiss goodnight.
• Marriage is finding the joy in every day, every moment, and knowing perfection is not the goal – peace, laughter, and love is.

I’d never claim to be an expert on marriage, love or joy, but I will claim to be happy, thankful and looking forward to the next 50 or so years with my Husband, my partner in crime and dreamer of dreams.  Happy Anniversary to us.  I can’t wait to see where our adventures take us next.