One year ago today we made the most important and rewarding decision of our lives. Shiree and I have been best friends for about three years, and a year ago that “best friendship” was declared a marriage in the presence of a crowd of friends and family.
We’ve often heard that the first year is the “hardest.” I really hope it is true, for if it is, I can’t wait to see what better things are in store. Honestly, this first year seemed to be such a blessed time and energizing way to start our lives together. We didn’t even live together before that (call us old-fashioned)!
Reflecting on the previous year, I realized that marriage is easy when you truly love a person. Perhaps it’s my personality, or perhaps it’s because we’re still new at this, but if you love the other person fully, it doesn’t really matter that it takes sacrifice of your own wants and needs. You’ll want to love that person in spite of your own needs. Not that we’re perfect, but even when either of us is grumpy or in some way undesirable, we simply keep loving each other.
Is it easy? I guess the expected answer is supposed to be, “No, but it’s worth the effort,” or “No, but she’s worth it,” or “No, but it’s the right thing.” To be honest, right now it is pretty easy. We prioritize what we value most, and to the extent that we value something we will love and cherish it. If we value one thing over another, the other thing will not experience the love we have for the thing valued. If my wife is the most valued in my life (I call her “my Favorite”), then to that extent it will be easy to love. If she’s ever not my “Favorite,” love will be harder to come by.
Am I rambling? A bit, perhaps. But I wanted to reflect on the love that Shiree and I have shared in the past year. It’s been awesome, and the next year will bring its own adventures. Our lives will never be boring.
Besides, for most of the second year, there will be three of us! What joy will that be!
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