Today is the anniversary of a young couple that I dearly love… It seems like only yesterday they met, fell in love, and began to build a life together. Nine years ago they married, and the most powerful memory of that grand event was the intense connection and commitment these two special people shared — it filled the room with an amazing energy and vibrance that affected each and every person in their presence.
Today this couple has survived not only each other, but two children, two pets, two homes, two cars, countless home remodel projects, and all that goes with it. And between them, five professional jobs (how could I forget about the jobs!)! They did meet as college freshman! That life is non-stop change is an understatement…
So, since we are blessed to have this week as a shared family beach vacation, I decided to ask my eldest daughter and her husband how they make it work — this marriage and family thing. What tips might they offer to others that could help them with their own challenge of making all this marriage/family/work stuff come together without too much grief? And here is what they had to say…
(Well, they didn’t actually tell me anything specific because I never had the chance to ask! Busy beach week!) But what I observed is that they work hard to openly appreciate each other’s efforts in helping to keep the family on an even keel. They help each other with the children and try to make sure that they each have some respite from the endless demands of parenting. And even when they are busy and exhausted there is a quiet trust that despite their differences they have each other’s back…
Tonight my husband and I are fortunate enough to babysit for our two beautiful granddaughters so their parents can go out on an anniversary “date.” I would say we are all very lucky… But I know it is all due to more than luck. It takes hard work and commitment for any marriage to have a chance of survival.