What
surprised you most about marriage?
I
should warn you, things may get a little mushy here, I’m quite in love. You’ll probably need some crackers with all
the cheese I’m bringing to this post. ;)
Seriously, I always looked forward to marriage, and when I met Katie I
looked forward to it a little bit more.
I’ve told Katie plenty of times that my decision in marrying her was as
logical as it was emotional. I wanted to
marry her because she had (and has) many qualities that are so valuable in a
marriage. And when the decision to marry
her became inspirational, she became irresistible. I only mention all this to say that I knew
what I was getting myself into. So, what
surprises me about marriage? Not much. I’m
happy, I’m in love, and I enjoy being with Katie. I knew I would. That isn’t to say marriage isn’t difficult at
times, because it is, but we’re committed to each other and love working at our
marriage together. Marriage has
definitely been an adjustment from the previous 27 years of unmarried life,
but a happy adjustment. Maybe you’re
just thinking, “He doesn’t know what it’s like once you get out of the
honeymoon phase.” Well, whether that’s
true or not, you don’t know what it’s like being married to Katie. And take my word for it, it’s the best.
I
should have gone first...How am I supposed to follow that?! Well, to keep it
short and simple, I feel the exact same. I'm happy, in love, and also love
being around Steve. I go through withdrawals if I get busy and don't
get to see him enough. I feel like when we're in heaven and get to spend all
eternity together I'll still never be able to get enough of him. However one
thing that did surprise me a bit was the fact that EVERYTHING I go through, I
go through with him. Before I got married I was very independent. I'm
still getting used to the fact that things don't happen to me, they happen to
us. For instance, when something really exciting happens I have someone who is
right there with me and is just as excited. Or when something frustrating or
sad happens I have someone to lean on. Steve still has to remind me on several
occasions that it's "us."
Oh and
we can't forget Steve's sleep talking. That was definitely the most
enjoyable surprise. I feel a sleep talking post coming up in the near future.
;)
What
have you enjoyed most about marriage?
What
I've enjoyed most about married life so far is discovering what a joy it is to
place a single person's interests above your own, making that person's
happiness the object of your existence. I think that's the only successful way
to make a marriage work. Katie has to be the most important thing to me. In one
of my favorite novels, Victor Hugo writes, "To protect the being
who loves you, to give what she requires to her who shines on you as your star,
can anything be sweeter?" Short answer: No. And that's really been what
I've enjoyed most so far. We have both found that our happiness in marriage, in
life really, lies in securing happiness for the other.
Not to
sound repetitive, but I again feel the same way Steve does. I've
definitely enjoyed being able to serve him. I'm constantly trying to find new,
creative ways to show him I love him (thank you pinterest for ALWAYS having
cute ideas). I feel like this answer mirrors my first in a lot of ways because
one of the things I've enjoyed most is the fact that it's now "us"
and not just "me." It really is one of the best, most comforting
things to know that I'll always have my best friend by my side. I've also
enjoyed learning everything Steve has to teach me. His knowledge of the Gospel
far exceeds mine and it's exciting to be able to learn something new or gain
new insight on a daily basis.
What are you most
looking forward to?
Can I say
everything? Because I'm seriously looking forward to everything. School,
careers, house shopping, kids, PTA, family home evenings, family scriptures and
prayers, Sunday naps, inside jokes, family pets, our first wrinkles, our first
grey hairs, our ups, our downs, our trials and our blessings. I'm looking
forward to our 50th anniversary and being that old couple who makes passerby's
smile because they're just so darn cute together. I'm looking forward to Steve
still opening my door when we're 80 (he promised he still would). I'm looking
forward to grand kids and great grand kids, summer vacations, watching our kids
take their first steps, teaching them to swim, etc...I really could go on
forever. I know things will be hard and I know times will get tough but I'm
still looking forward to it all. As President Hinkley has said, "Life is
to be enjoyed, not endured" and I'm looking forward to enjoying every last
moment with my Stephen.
In looking
ahead, I'm probably most excited for us to become parents. No, I don't know
what it's like to be a parent, and yes, I'm sure there are things that will
surprise me and my naive optimism about having children. That being said, I'm
thrilled to have the responsibility of rearing a happy family. As I've thought
about the future over the years I've always had visions of a little child
walking through the park, one hand in Mom's, and the other in mine. I've
pictured myself kneeling down in prayer with my children teaching them about
who they are, and whose they are, helping them understand
the Lord's plan and their part in it. I'm excited for the lighthearted moments
when kids say and do clumsy things, and I'm excited for the sacred moments that
will bring our family closer together. Ultimately, I'm excited for us to love
our children, to have fun with them, laugh with them, and do all sorts of fun
things with them as we build a family to last forever. After all, what good is
eternal life if you don't have your family to share it with?
