It's been two years (and a few days) since our wedding day, and, quite honestly, it feels much longer than that. Maybe it was the two preganacies in a row, the natural disaster (Sandy), intense ministry-related situations, close relationship fall outs...all this and more PLUS learning how to live life together. Not just functioniong together, but continually, romantically persuing and serving each other. It's been beautiful, exhausting, difficult and thrilling all at once.
We've seen the worst and the best in each other over these past few years. We've said some of the meanest words, and some of the most up-lifting, heart-warming words to each other. Any married couple will tell you the same thing. The goal is not to avoid conflict or to ignore it, but to find specific strategies that help to resolve the daily conflicts that will inevitably arise. And by our God's overwhelming supply of mercy and grace, we are finding those strategies while falling more and more in love as time passes.
Christopher has to put up with a lot when it comes to living life with me. I steal the blankets at night, I move all of his important papers that pile up on his bureau, I leave gum wrappers in cups, I make us late in the mornings (pregnant or not), I have a habit of knocking into his legs under the table while we're eating, I steal food off of his plate (I'm Italian, he's English), I don't always look at washing instructions for his J. Crew clothes.... etc.
I could go ahead and list his flaws, but I'll refrain. ;)
It's funny how much we've both fought and laughed over our silly, little habits. We're crazy about each other, but we can easily drive each other crazy. That's usually how it goes, right?
Laughter helps. It's so important in a marriage (in all of life, really). Espeically laughing at yourself. It's amazing how sour a conversation turns when I get into defensive mode... when my I take myself so seriously, and my importance level (in my head) flies through the roof. It's ugly. Pride and self-importance are ugly, and it's the best recipe for an ugly situation.
Simply put, when his desires become more important than my own (and vice versa), we can't lose.
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