The Marriage I Am Privileged To Have

The Marriage I Am Privileged To Have

So I took the picture above many years ago when my husband and I went to Green Lakes in New York. I saw this older couple in front of us, and it just made me so happy to see a couple that cared for each other so much even in their older years. The whole setting just made me think of one of those Norman Rockwell paintings. Anyways, at that time, we had only been married a few years and I thought to myself that is is a blessing for the marriage I am privileged to have and I hoped that many years down the road we would be like the couple we saw that day.

Well, now we are halfway through our 16th year of marriage. I still feel the same as I did that day that I am so blessed for the marriage I am privileged to have. Over the past 16 years, we have been through a LOT together. We have faced hard times and low income, loss of father, loss of a sister, loss of many other family members and friends. We have lost pets one of which was like our child as we can not have children. That was one of the hardest losses of all for us (and still is as we face each day with that huge hole in our hearts). We have had our fair share of broken down cars and busted house parts and health issues. But through all of this loss, grief and hard times, we stayed strong for one another picking the other up when we would fall.

But the years have not been all hard times and sadness as we have had tons of laughing, love enjoyment and good times too. Spending time with family and friends, with each other, the excitement of a new car (used but new to us) buying a home, paying off that home and then moving out of state to buy another home away from snow. The enjoyment of our pets when they would give big hugs, greet us at the door or just snuggle down by our side. The best part about all these good things is having that wonderful person by your side to enjoy it right there with you.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not trying to say that marriage is 100% great 100% of the time. Over those 16 years, we have had a disagreement or two. But when you truly love the other and they are your best friend, it makes it easier to work past those disagreements.

I know that not every marriage in the world is like this. I know that these days there is a pretty high divorce rate, that is why I say that I am privileged to have it. I try to not let a day go by that I do not cherish what I have and wish that everyone out there could have the same.

So why am I writing this post you may ask? Well, I simply wanted to share this picture I took so many years ago and remind you to love one another. For anyone out there that has not found their best half yet, hold out, it is out there! When you find it, it will be well worth the wait. Facing life with someone you deeply love and view as your best friend truly makes the ups and downs of life a little easier.

I so hope that after many more years of marriage, that my husband and I are just like this couple I snapped the picture of at Green Lakes. Grey haired with a cane and still helping each other on the path of life.

Note to Shawn: Thanks for all the years of loving me and being by my side. Looking forward to many more years, I love you babe!