:thoughts on marriage // valentine's edition:

we woke up just like any other day, except we were at his parents house. due to the winter storm we camped out there with all the darlings to enjoy sledding and snow cream and all the goodness of childhood memories in the making. as you well know he is the more playful one. the one that stays out until tiny fingers and toes are nearly frozen then brings them in for thawing and cuddles. i dress and undress them in seventeen layers each because southerners are so ill-prepared for snow we close schools and even walmart when the flakes start falling. 

on this day, that was just like any other day, we did not offer special gifts of candies or flowers. that's not our thing. we offered hugs and kisses and the knowing glance, of yes, this is just fine with me. once the snow began to melt we collected our little ones and made our way home. there we had take out and spent the evening snuggling the three we love most in this world. once sleep overcame them we fell into the couch, the one worn by the bouncy feet of four year old boy and many years of a growing family. 

the next day he sent me off for a run, because he knows how much i love it and how much i struggle to get away. the to-do list is so long and there is always something to interfere, some excuse to be offered. yet he knows what i need and makes way for my needs to be met. i came home to grab a shower for date night, so graciously provided by my mom. there under the door i found my favorite thing in all the world. Words. kind words, words of affirmation are truly medicine for my soul. my soul that is often weary in this journey of faith and motherhood. this journey of living out the love and calling to the upside-down kingdom of jesus. this journey of figuring out how i fit my small, every day things in the big bring-heaven-to-earth message that jesus taught. he gave the gift no money can buy. exactly what my heart needed. yes this, this is what love looks like for us. 

:thoughts on marriage // the love story:

they walked in the waiting room slowly yet gracefully, both white haired and wrinkled with age. she waved at the receptionist, clearly familiar, to let her know of their arrival. she sat down and he made his way over.

she said do you want me to move so you can sit near the table?
no, he said, i'll just sit right here next to you. it'll make me look better. 
she waved her hand at him as if waving away the truth of his words, endearingly so.
she picked up a magazine and held it out to him, i can't believe she passed up plastic surgery.
hon, your head was turned and i couldn't hear you. what did you say?
well you didn't need to hear it cause it was ugly, she replied.
aw, you couldn't be ugly if you tried. 

she shrugged him off both flattered and embarrassed or maybe coy, i'll never know. what i do know is that this couple, radiated love for all to see. not the showy kind, the real, forever kind.

this is the kind of love i want to leave behind. 

when my children are grown i hope they remember the way mom and dad hugged and kissed every morning. the way we held hands in the car. the way we shared laughter. the way their dad always waited until i was nearly done making the bed to pick me up and throw me on it and tickle me silly.  calling for the help of my little ones they would fly into the room and we would have an all out tickle-fest until everyone fell back breathless and happy. 

when they get angry at the one they love maybe they will remember that mom and dad never yelled at one another and always showed respect. in the remembering they will fight for the love they have chosen. they will choose to write a love story their children can remember and cherish.

my dearest love, even when we are old and gray, may we radiate a love that makes young ones want to live a better love story.



*linking up with carissa for miscellany monday & blair for life lately

in honor of writing a better love story you can get these two prints for $8.50 each today! 

find them in my shop THE LOVELY WORDS