courting marriage
September 28, 2012 § 2 Comments
Twelve years of marriage and two children later, my husband and I are still dating. No longer shy or new, our familiarity is comforting. Our date nights brief reminders that we did not cease to be a couple when we grew into a family. I Do became I Will.
My greatest lesson in marriage is the unpredictability of life and the importance of growing into each new moment. In the beginning my husband and I couldn’t have imagined some of the challenges waiting around the corner from complacency. Rather than settling into quiet moments, detaching into stagnancy, we have learned to embrace pockets of serenity, centering ourselves in gratitude and gathering humor and stillness for difficult moments ahead. We fortify ourselves with time.
Date nights were not always convenient, my husband and I learned to make room for one another in simple moments. When our children were little, early bedtimes gifted us quiet hours at home. Sometimes we were grateful to get lost in a movie; other times we unraveled worries alongside dreams for our future. As our children grew to school age we borrowed time from mornings or afternoons to share a meal or embrace the peaceful silence of our home. Occasionally there is only time enough to grab a cup of coffee just before school dismisses our children to homework and extra curricular activities, mindfully we absorb these minutes with the same enthusiasm we dress for dinner out.
Our time together is woven into each week, intentionally, so that our relationship is a choice validated at each opportunity. Marriage has given my husband and I unlimited time to grow as a couple, finding new ways to celebrate the life we continue to shape for our family.
scribblechic 
We let our date nights slide. It’s so easy to do. We’re getting back on the dating horse, though and going to see “Looper.” We save money by going to matinees. Early enough and we could probably have a late breakfast. Thanks for the reminder.
The little things are so often the big things. I love budget friendly, crowd free matinees. Thanks for commenting!