It feels just last week that Eric and I were celebrating our tenth anniversary. Even with all the craziness we had to endure, this past year went by in a flash.
We place so much emphasis on those anniversaries that end in 5’s or 0’s, but I think each anniversary is a special opportunity to reflect on the past and dream about the future. What have we learned? What will we do differently? Where do we want to go from here?
In honor of our eleven years together, I thought of eleven reasons I still respect Eric after all this time. My prayer is that if we live to see our fiftieth anniversary, I will be able to come up with fifty reasons.
- I respect Eric’s hard work and dedication.
- I respect how well Eric keeps secrets (even if it drives me crazy sometimes! ~smile~).
- I respect Eric’s excellent money management.
- I respect how Eric lets so many issues roll off his back.
- I respect how Eric knows the difference between when I need to be left alone and when I need a hug.
- I respect how much Eric desires to help people.
- I respect Eric’s ability to bring clarity to most situations.
- I respect how Eric verbally appreciates my contributions to our marriage.
- I respect how Eric keeps pushing forward, even when he is weary and exhausted.
- I respect Eric for never being too tired to give warm, therapeutic bear hugs.
- I respect that Eric never stops learning.
As the newness of a relationship wears off and problems begin to arise, it is tempting to focus on the negative. Believe me. Eric and I have struggled with this intensely. We joke about our differences – sometimes cry about them; but, tend to highlight them more than we do our similarities. I do this even in my writing.
As we were heading back to our Denver hotel one night after dinner, I quietly pondered our tendency to “brag” about our differences. During our meal with his brother, we talked in detail about how hard it is to be married to your opposite. It started out neutral; but, as the conversation persisted, my heart began to ache. The more I hear it, the less secure I feel in our marriage.
Breaking the silence of that car ride, I posed the thought to Eric, “Do you think we are harming our marriage by talking so much about our differences instead of accentuating our similarities?” He let out a discouraged, “maybe.” Marriage sure does has a learning curve.
No one can deny that Eric and I are different, but with just a smidge of effort, it is easy to find where we are similar too. We share the same faith, which is incredibly important to a marriage. We see marriage as sacred. We both desire to have a family and raise Godly children. We come from similar home lives. We have almost identical political views. We handle money in much the same way. We both love dogs. And, we seldom disagree on issues relating to our clients. Those are some major similarities and I am thankful for them!
So, here’s to eleven years, my Sweet, and may God bless us with many more years. May He also reveal more qualities to love and respect each other as we race towards the finish line together.
I love you to the moon and back.
Can you think of multiple qualities you love and respect about your boyfriend or girlfriend? If not, does that concern you?
Picture: iStockPhoto/NakoPhotography