Eight

Kyle and I were speaking to a friend recently about marriage and trends we sometimes see around us and our friend remarked, “I wouldn’t call marriage easy, but it’s not hard.”

We nodded in agreement, understanding what he meant.

Marriage isn’t easy, in fact we then discussed how it required a lot of work. But what our friend was really getting at, was that, for us, it is fortunately not difficult.

It is certainly something we devote time and thought to and it isn’t without uncomfortable moments. Hurt feelings, misunderstandings, or disagreements happen, but they aren’t unending.

At the end of the day, when I sometimes feel VERY lonely and unlovable, I have the unwavering support and love of a devoted man. Our relationship buoys me up and adds joy and peace to my life.

Eight years have passed since the day we were sealed together and promised to support one another in our most vulnerable moments. We had no idea what lay ahead but our love for one another lifted both of our spirits and because of that, we took what felt like a small step of faith (in our limited understanding) in promising to always commit to each other, to make life choices as a team, and to carry each other in times of weakness and struggle.

I see now how that small amount of faith has yielded a massive amount of fruit.

Beyond bringing four precious boys into this world, everywhere I look I see the efforts of our marriage.

Love and joy in our home. Strength and diligence in our labors. Service in small and unspoken moments. Laughter. Trust. Vulnerability.

What a joy it is to be married to this man, for when it seems like the world is crumbling around me, I feel his hand at my back, steadying me.

Isn’t that what pure love is? Finding ways to show love despite our weaknesses or their weakness. Being vulnerable and open enough to be dependent on the support of another person, trusting that while it won’t always be perfect, it will always be there.

I am endlessly grateful for my marriage, for the foundation we have set and for the home we are building.