Of Love and Marriage ~ Idaho LIfestyle Photographer

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I remember thinking how fast it went by and how I just wanted it all to slow down. We were surrounded by our closest family and friends. It really was a wonderful day. We said our vows in a faith-filled ceremony, then enjoyed a wonderful dinner and dance to celebrate the joining of our lives. It was our wedding day, July 20, 2002.

Looking back on the last 10 years, so much has happened and it seems to have flown by! We'll be welcoming Baby #4 soon. We're living in our second home. We've grown older, and hopefully, wiser too.

I love looking back and remembering all the details of our wedding day and how wonderful it was. Yet, what fills my heart with greater joy is thinking how I love my husband even more today then the day we wed. And that is an amazing feeling.

Now sure there are days when I think, "have we not learned anything about each other in the last 10 years?" It's like I'm looking at a stranger. But, those aren't too common. For the most part, we're on the same page. I guess more importantly, when in a committed marriage knowing that it truly is 'death due us part', you just concentrate on working through those tough days. You know that the good outweighs the bad. For me, I'd rather go through all the ups and downs with my husband than without him. He loves me so much and really offers a lot of forgiveness. He works extremely hard to provide for all of us. He has a tender part of him that just melts my heart when he shares it with others. He makes me laugh-every day. He's a great dad and I love seeing him interact with our children. And I love spending time with him--even if it's just to run errands. Any one-on-one time spent together helps strengthen our marriage.

I feel extremely blessed to have found this man to spend my life with and look forward to many, many more years with him! Happy 10-year Anniversary to my hubby!

 

7 Days of Marriage Tips : From Proverbs 31 Ministries

{Day 1} Be the person you'd like to be married to. If you'd like a little more grace for your faults, give a little more grace for theirs. If you need more love and understanding, give more love and understanding to your spouse.

{Day 2} Nobody is perfect. Don't let the world at large find out about your spouse's imperfections via your mouth. "The heart of her husband trusts in her..." {Prov. 31:11}

{Day 3} Make it a point to give your spouse the best of you: the best of your smiles, the best of your touch, the best of your (good) attitude, the best of your laughter, the best of your words, etc. Don't always bring them what's left of you after the world has drained you.

{Day 4} Greet your spouse with a kiss. It's a mood enhancer. Science says touch releases endorphins, so you begin to associate seeing your spouse with a pleasant feeling. And you can't say anything you'll regret when your lips otherwise occupied. Voila! Mood enhanced!

{Day 5) Be intentional. Every day, look for a way to bless your spouse either secretly or openly. A thankful, giving heart will repulse the weeds of blame and discontent.

{Day 6} Love "Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." {1 Cor. 13} Choose to believe the best about your spouse, even when they aren't communicating well. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to express yourself. Some folks find it hard to communicate with words at all. Grace, grace.

{Day 7} Keep in mind that time affects all of us and no one remains the same as we were when dating. Life's circumstances can make us lose our sense of humor, change us physically, act less romantic, etc. Take some time to find those two people who fell in love and reconnect. (Trust me, they're still in there somewhere.)

Hope those dating or in a marriage find these tips helpful too!