Date Night

Oh how we longed for the phone call. 

(yes on a phone. . .with a cord) 

We did have answering machines. . .but you knew they would call; and it made you excited.

 Each moment was like a breath of fresh air. 

New relationships are like that. 

 I would sit with Gary for hours just talking or sitting in silence

 (he liked that a lot. . .me, not so much).

It was just being together that was important. 

We went for walks in the pasture. . .we sat on the hill and watched the sun sinking low.

 Often in silence (he liked that. . .)

Eventually on a sunny, fall day we got married.

And it was bliss.  No, really it was.

Look at our journey! Our first wedding! Oh what a beautiful couple.

We've even been away on a few trips! 

Away from the farm. 

Away from the state! 

Though I really love our home and the farm.

 Being away is great. . .but I love coming home. 

Then, somewhere along the line, date night was pushed aside. 

Finances have been tight. 

With so many kids and homeschooling, schedules are full and I am tired at the end of the day. 

 We began to forget that love is patient. . .

that it is NOT easily angered. . .

that is keeps NO record of wrongs. . .

none. . .

Did you get that?  NO record of wrongs. 

 I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

My mom's journey with cancer became trickier and my dad's health became compromised. And time just kept marching forward. . . .with few or no date nights. 

And then life became even more complicated as my mom's journey here on earth came to an end. . .and all of the other losses we endured over the past 8 months. 

And somewhere in there. . .I realized I missed my best friend. 

I missed going for walks. . .

And watching sunsets. 

So, last night after a crazy day of driving to New York to drop the kids off at camp. . .only to find out it was supposed to be today. . .

We went out for date night.

And we held hands.

And there was silence (which he loved).

We need to protect our marriages. Even if they are good. They can be better.

We are celebrating 20 years this year. 

And I can still say I am glad I married my best friend. 

Ephesian 1:15-19 . . . I thank God continually for you and I never give up praying for you; and this is my prayer. That God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the all-glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and the insight to know more of him: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realize how great is the hope to which he is calling you—the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians—and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.