living in love
February 11, 2012 § 2 Comments
Twelve years ago my husband and I were preparing to join our lives with a new life; marriage and family beautifully intertwined by the anticipation of our first child. Mindfully we leapt from a couple into a family and our decisions were centered in an awareness that our wedding was smaller than our marriage. Similarly, romantic holidays were happy excuses to celebrate the everyday rather than an occasion to remember.
On the Valentine’s Day prior to our wedding my husband and I stood patiently waiting in a quiet office for our marriage license; the date on our application our gift to one another. Practical and sentimental this act created an expectation for our life together. We pledged to make time for romance with small gestures and celebrate our life together not only on holidays, but on overlooked everyday occasions.
I often think that the birth of our first child blessed the early days of our marriage with conscious acts of love and a genuine appreciation for simple gestures of affection. Small details of our wedding day were overshadowed by the greater miracle of a new life. When our son was born early challenges drew my husband and I closer. More than newlyweds, we were friends in love with one another and grateful for daily miracles.
Romantic holidays and anniversaries are balanced against everyday acts of love, kindness, generosity. Roses or jewelry would feel wilted and tarnished without the hours of patience, humor, and care-taking that are hallmarks of a life shared. Arguments where opinions are honored and challenges met with honest endeavors to live our best life create a sense of gratitude that cannot be contained in lines of sentiment on beautiful stationery.
As Valentine’s Day and our anniversary draw near I am remembering little gifts, large blessings, and giving thanks for years of living in love.
valentines
February 14, 2011 § Leave a comment
For as long as I can remember Valentine’s Day has cast a sentimental spell that clouds the logical spaces of my mind. Each year I hold my breath with an anticipation I would vehemently deny in person. Somewhere in my heart the little girl who believed in fairy tales and expended summer days in the shade of a novel wraps this day in heartstrings.
Today, I rearranged my romantic notions and replaced expectations with effort. I tucked construction paper hearts into my children’s lunch boxes as colorful reminders of their importance to me. I carved out a quiet moment in the morning for my husband and I to indulge in a special breakfast after taking our children to school together; togetherness holding the same fulfillment as an elaborate gift. I substituted the sweetness of kindness for rich pastries or truffles.
Without another wish, I let go of whimsical fantasies and embraced the beautiful moments and bountiful blessings of my day free of expectations.
scribblechic 