I sat back in my seat and let out a sigh as I had just finished hustling to get my kids situated on the plane (Flying solo with young kids is no joke, y’all!). All of a sudden, my eyes widened and a slight panic set in as it hit me: it was our 10 year wedding anniversary and despite my husband driving us to the airport, we had both completely forgotten about it. I switched my phone off of airplane mode and called him to slip in a quick “Happy Anniversary!” before soaring off into the clouds.
Ten years to the day, I was flying home to set foot in the very same church where we had been married, but this time for a very different reason.
A dear uncle of mine had passed away unexpectedly and I found myself scrambling to get back home, kids in tow, to be with my family. My husband was unable to come with us, despite desperately wanting to (he shared a special bond with my uncle as well), but he fully supported my efforts to attend.
The bride that stood at the alter a decade prior probably did not envision her “aluminum” anniversary to be spent this way, but the wife that stands before her husband now is grateful for the lifetime they’ve chosen to spend together, for better or for worse. I’m thankful that our commitment has grown beyond a “fairytale ending” and that nearly forgetting about our anniversary altogether wasn’t a soul-crushing experience. On the contrary, in some ways it was strangely comforting to know that dates and celebrations aren’t the backbone of our relationship – the covenant that we entered into with God and each other is our core and our strength. It’s what keeps us going when we endure the loss of a loved one or any given situation that tries to break us apart.
Choosing a lifetime means forgetting your anniversary when life happens.
Choosing a lifetime means forgiving each other again and again.
Choosing a lifetime means admitting when you are wrong.
Choosing a lifetime means speaking the truth, even when it hurts.
Choosing a lifetime means extending grace when your spouse needs it the most.
Choosing a lifetime means accepting grace when you don’t feel worthy.
Choosing a lifetime is one of the most difficult but most rewarding choices I will continue to make daily.
Life is hard. Marriage is hard. Raising a family is hard. My hope and prayer is that our relationship will continue to be a place of comfort and peace for our kids for years to come. I will gladly continue to choose a lifetime of hills and valleys that hopefully illustrates to our children the fruits of hard work, deep commitment, and continual pursuit of one another.
