Wedded Bliss and other fairytales

Today marks the anniversary of the day I married my soulmate. Well he wasn’t my soulmate when I married him. But he’s become my soulmate over 36 years of better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health. I, personally, do not believe you find your soulmate, I believe you forge a soulmate, if there is such a thing. You have to do real life with someone to reach soulmate status. After 36 years we have definitely done real life. We have faced some of the most difficult scenarios that often separate couples but each of us has always had a propensity to serve the Lord and trust Him with our difficulties and He has held us together and brought us through everything and always restored and grown love where it may have been lacking or fading. I think we know and understand 1 Corinthians 13 love.

One thing I always prayed was that I would see Mike through Gods eyes. That I would see what God sees when He looks down on my husband with patience and love. And God has been faithful to answer that prayer. Even now when I see my husband across a crowded room or the church foyer or cutting the grass or fixing one of the kids cars my heart wells with love for this man and who he is and what we’ve shared. Even the difficult , or especially the difficult, has bonded us in a way nothing else could. I know Mike is a work in progress just as I am. I will confess, I have not always been the loving, respectful wife with a willingness to serve but God has loved me enough to correct me and guide me. He leads me in paths of righteousness.

Mike has his man cave and I have my basement studio and most often we are separated by two levels doing our own thing. But we are comfortable doing our own thing because we understand who we are and what we have at our foundation. When I hear of women dealing with life on their own and the struggles and stress that has now become their lives I thank the Lord for Mike. Every. Single. Day. I don’t have to do life alone and I know I am of all women, most blessed. I don’t have to parent alone and we enjoy beautiful rich relationships with other couples that enhance our lives and marriage.

I will always fight for Mike, cheer for Mike, pray for Mike, commit to Mike. I will laugh with Mike and share with Mike. I will be joyful in hope with Mike. Faithful in prayer with Mike. Patient in affliction with Mike. Two are better than one for if one falls down the other can help him up.

We are by no means the perfect romantic couple that never raises our voices or gets angry or makes mistakes or gets selfish or acts childish, for that matter, but we are committed to the long haul and we have made beautiful memories together and anticipate many more. We have grown into soulmates and for that I am grateful to God for sending Michael my way.

I read a book by Gary Thomas called Sacred Marriage and I’ve read many of his books. I love them. Sort of C.S. Lewis meets Gary Smalley and he suggests that marriage was not created to make us happy but rather it was created to make us holy. My prayer is for both.

Love you to Mars and back my Michael. (apparently Mars is farther than the moon so you get the picture).