“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us together today. Mawage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam. And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva. So tweasure your wuv.” 

Remember that line from The Princess Bride?! What splendid thoughts you have on your wedding day… one of excitement, joy, nothing can go wrong kind of thoughts.

But… Marriage is not always easy. Glen and I often celebrated our anniversary with our children to remember that each year of marriage was a win!.We didn’t live another year (as in birthdays), but we fought through the hard times, laughed at the good and grew together.

Some seasons were harder than others.. getting to know each other at the beginning, getting the sex part to both likings, small children in the mix, busy lives with elementary kids, angst  (and joy) of having teenagers, the transition of having older children, working through differences and learning about each other. Each one was beautiful and challenging at the same time.

In all it’s a covenant. A covenant is ‘when you have an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment’. God has that commitment to us. He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. The same goes in marriage. We mentioned the ‘D’ word one time, never again. We will fight to stay in this marriage through good and bad times. It’s the promise we gave in April 1988 and continue to keep on a daily basis.

And, much of it is good. Very good. A long lasting companionship/friendship with your best friend. A comfort, a safe place, an easy chair, a fun sexual joy, an adventure.

I can’t imagine being without my best friend. My companion for life. Each season is wonderful and changeable in its own right.  Embrace the change, love well, find solutions and have fun!

And to finish with another quote from Princess Bride that I think we should always bestow on our spouse:  “I just want you to feel you are doing well” .

Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash