Ode to Marriage

My friend, Kelsey sent me an email that made me cry. She said she saw my voice teacher from college. They talked about me and how I chose Brad & having a family...over my career. The part that was so healing after all of these years was to hear that HE said that I "did the right thing" for me. I'm not sure why I cried. Maybe it was that I always thought he was disappointed in me and his opinion mattered so much to me. Maybe it was because I've come to that peace in my heart as well, content with the decision I made. I still wonder sometimes "what if...", but I always come back to blessings around me and realize none of them would be here if I hadn't chosen love....

Here is a poem I wrote on the 5 year anniversary of our engagement, revised...

When I said YES....I didn't know
just how the next 10 years would go.
We were so young and so naive.
We couldn't wait to "leave and cleave".
The wedding came. We did our best.
But you (0f course) cried, and I (of course) stressed.
On that day we did not know
that in 10 years our love could grow!
I knew I loved you and that you'd make
a loving husband that would take...
a lot of time to change and mold
into a man I could have and hold.
I knew that I would always stay
as skinny as I was that day,
and sure that we would settle down
after seminary in ONE town.
I would have 5 kids with ease,
'cause pregnancy would be a breeze!
What I've learned I did not know...
is just how much I'd love you so.
And from our love came Luke & Grace:
I see you in each precious face.
You've given me a wonderful life.
Thank you for taking me as your wife.
We've changed so much in these 10 years.
We've been through many trials and tears.
But through it all, we've committed to stay
and for you every day I'll pray...
that you will always see in me
the wife that God would have me be,
to lift you up and give you praise,
to hold you on your darkest days.
When I said YES....10 years ago
I can't believe I didn't know
Just how much
that God would bless
my life with yours
when I said YES.