When you’re standing right around the five year mark of a marriage, 30 seems like it is light years away.
That’s how long my parents will have been married when they celebrate their anniversary this April. 30 years spent loving each other, encouraging each other, disappointing each other, and forgiving each other. 30 years spent determining which ideals to hold onto and which ones to let go. 30 years spent making the same decision day, after day, after day, after day. ‘Today I will choose this person, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health….’
Its hard to fathom, and yet encouraging beyond measure. There are so few examples in our society of what ‘happily ever after’ actually looks like. The message we receive from Hollywood is that the story is over as soon as the bride says I do. We are left to assume that either things got too boring to mention from that point forward, or that the commitment made at the ceremony was impossible to sustain.
Thank God that doesn’t have to be true. And thank God that there is no formula, no single path that leads to a long and fruitful marriage. Some couples celebrate every holiday, mark every milestone with candlelight and roses. Others simply make it a point to eat breakfast together every morning. Some couples talk all the time, and others enjoy the peaceful silence that comes from being fully known.
I have no idea what path my marriage will take. And truth be told, sometimes I get anxious wondering how we will weather the storms that surely lie ahead. But I believe that the same God who has sustained my mother and father, my aunts and uncles, my in-laws and friends, can sustain us too.
I am honored to have all of you to look up to. Not because you have done things perfectly, or followed some rule book on marriage to the letter, but simply because you are still standing. Broken but together. Allowing God to give you the endurance, forgiveness, patience and passion that you need in order to remain.
That was beautiful Kate, and so encouraging! By the way, your parents look amazing!