Hi friends! I have been super on the go with work trips, recipes, momming – all the things. In the midst of that, I am so grateful I was able to take some time to celebrate and reflect on the love that has truly been my foundation. This past Wednesday (October 8th) we celebrated our seven year anniversary. This year’s anniversary was simple but special. We spent a night away in Atlantic City at Ocean Resort while the grandparents watched the kids. With two toddlers at home, it was a rare chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy each other outside of “mom and dad” mode. It was great to just talk in the car, listen to music that isn’t teaching about colors and ABCs and revisit the intimate moments that made us first fall in love.
As I reflect on seven years of marriage, I can’t help but to think of the versions of myself leading up to present day. I think of the Natasha who just really wanted to find her person. Dating/being single is fun and I think there is a ton of necessary character development in that season, but you reach a certain age and you’re just READY. To her, I’d emphasize patience and give to her the mantra “worth the wait”. Good things – no great things are absolutely worth the wait. We also serve a God who is able to do so many unfathomable things simultaneously. In the same span of time, you are growing, he’s working out the kinks in your future partner, careers are being established, healing is occuring, faith is being built – all so that when you finally do find your person, it’s right and it’s powerful. As the kids would say, let him cook!
Then I think of the version of myself that was newly married and trying to figure out how to properly steward this blessing. The thing about marriage (and a lot of the things we want in life) is that great doesn’t mean easy. Anything worth having is going to challenge you. Our relationship hasn’t always been effortless. We’ve experienced moments that stretched us but communication, respect, and love are what kept (and keeps) us grounded in each other. I do believe in a fairytale-esque love because when you focus on the beautiful aspects of it, it is really an ethereal feeling – what two people can build together is truly magical. But, the key to unlocking that fairytale is trust, vulnerability, and commitment on both sides. We have to also remember that our relationship is like a plant – a living, breathing thing that needs attention and to be tended to. As wives, I encourage us to pause and celebrate the milestones. Even a simple “I love you” or words of affirmation can make a moment feel special.
Love grows when we take time to acknowledge it.
In some ways it feels like it’s been 7 days and in other ways it feels like it’s been a lifetime – it’s a beautiful thing. It amazes me how much truth there is in “the two will become one flesh”. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still very much our own people but when all my attention is looking forward, he always has my back and vice versa. Marriage has made me feel like the ultimate version of myself, where I am weak he is strong and because of that, I feel like I can really do or pursue anything. I thank God everyday that he believes in abundance, I have always been blessed but he has never ceased to multiply those blessings through time. So again – Thank you, God.
& Thank you, Nate. Seven years in and I still choose you every day, with gratitude, with laughter, and with love that keeps growing.
