Dear Younger Me, I remember when I was your age. The world seemed so open, free, and full of possibilities. Standing there with the love of my life, I felt invincible. Young love is such a powerful force. Actually, maybe it is young infatuation or hormones; but, whatever it is, it is powerful. ~smile~ What I would not give to go back there for just a moment – to breathe in the excitement of our future. The first time he looked at me with that more than friends gaze. The first time our hands brushed and chills shot through me. The first time we kissed after he weighed the pros and cons of … [Read more...]
10 Dating Preparations to Simplify Your Marriage
The first year of marriage is like wet cement – the impressions made in it are much harder to change once it has set. – Robert Wolgemuth Yes, the first year of marriage sets the tone for the next several years to come. During that special season, we create habits and norms. What we do and say during that time carries weight for a long time – sometimes a lifetime. Since the first year of marriage is so important – and the first three months most important – why start creating great habits on day one of your marriage? Why not start now so you can transition comfortably into married … [Read more...]
Simplifying the Expectations Conversation
“But, I don’t have any expectations.” Has anyone ever told you that? Someone Eric and I love dearly tries to convince us of this “fact” often, but I am not ready to believe it. ~smile~ So far, I have not met a human being who does not have at least a few expectations of others or life. We expect our neighbors to drive with common sense and not hit our children. We expect doctors to provide medicine and accurate diagnoses when we are sick. We expect the sun to rise in the morning. Even those with the lowest of expectations can find something they expect out of this world, no matter how small or … [Read more...]
She Taught Me to Simplify my Marriage
The different people we meet throughout our lives each paint a portion of our story. When we look back on our beautiful portrait, we see the work of hundreds – maybe thousands – of people. Some only brush a single stroke and others fill in the smallest details of our canvas. My late mentor, Miss Betty, added many colors and designs to my life and I credit her, in large part, with my love of marriage and relationships. From the time I was seven and moved in across the street, to months before my 34th birthday when we lost her, she displayed to me what it meant to be a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 … [Read more...]
Simplifying the Parenthood Discussion
The happiest and holiest children in the world are the children whose fathers succeed in winning both their tender affection and their reverential and loving fear. And they are the children who will come to understand most easily the mystery of the fatherhood of God. – John Piper One of the earliest conversations I recall having with Eric during our courtship’s infancy was about children. He wanted six and I wanted four; so, we settled on six. ~smile~ Those were the days when I thought life would go the way I expected, and it had not yet occurred to me that our future path might be different … [Read more...]
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