Laughter, Tears, Challenges, and Triumphs Reflections Of Marriage
Marriage is often described as a journey, and the milestones along this path are marked by laughter, tears, challenges, and triumphs. As I reflect on 27 years of marriage, it becomes apparent that our journey is as Smooth as Tennessee Whiskey and as Sweet as Strawberry Wine. But on the other hand, it is also a Battle cry full of the ups and downs of life.
At the beginning of any relationship, married or not, the union is filled with excitement and passion. The butterflies in the stomach, the shared dreams, and the promise of a future together are the driving forces that propel you into the institution of marriage. This is how it starts. Little did we know that this was merely the starting point of a lifelong adventure without the fairytales. It was lights, camera, real life for us.
What I have found through observations of others and what we experienced ourselves was that the beginning stage can have you facing vulnerability and being very gullible (fairytale stage) until reality sets into your every day married life. These are the reflections of marriage.
Don’t Linger….
It’s ok to be there for a moment. However, you truly have to come out of those fairy tale moments. If not, disappointments and challenges that you go through will have you quickly second-guessing lifelong decisions. That is why divorce is at high rates at least in our American Culture because when the tough gets going, we too, get going. This is the wrong attitude when entering a marriage. If you truly believe in the vows you took, then the only way to be out would be “death do you part”.
With that being said, our reflections of marriage over the years threw its fair share of challenges our way. From financial struggles to side-eye issues. The inevitable ups and downs tested our strength. But during these trials and tribulations, the strength of our bond became most evident. The ability to weather storms together, offering support and encouragement, became the foundation upon which our marriage was built. One of the key lessons learned over the course of 27 years is the importance of effective communication. Learning to express our needs, desires, and concerns openly and honestly allowed us to navigate the complexities of life as a team.
Communication is Key
We communicated and we also grew individually. Marriage became a catalyst for personal development. We encouraged one another to pursue passions and aspirations. That is what I love the most. But again that is growth.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to overlook the significance of small, seemingly mundane moments. Yet, it is often these moments that contribute significantly to the overall richness of a marriage.
The person I married 27 years ago is not the same person I am married to today. The evolution of who we are today has allowed us to learn and appreciate the depths of each other’s character.
The ability to adapt and embrace change, both within ourselves and in each other has been crucial to the longevity of our marriage. Whether it’s a shared glance, a simple gesture of kindness, or a quiet evening spent together, these small moments accumulate to create a profound connection that withstands weapons (other people or actions that have no business in your business) that will form against your marriage.
No marriage is immune to storms, and ours is no exception. However, the ability to navigate through those challenges together has strengthened our bond. The storms were not a sign of weakness but rather growth opportunities. Each trial became a testament to our resilience. It proved that our commitment to each other could withstand troubled waters no matter how fast they came. I can tell you that we faced each challenge head-on, showed each other grace, and moved forward with life. These are reflections of marriage!
Hidden Gems
Laughter has been a constant companion throughout our journey. In times of joy, it amplified the celebration. In times of sorrow, it served as a healing mechanism to get through. The ability to find humor in the ordinary and share moments of genuine laughter has been a source of immense joy in our marriage. It is a reminder that, even in the face of life’s complexities, a good laugh can be the best medicine.
As we stand at the threshold of our marriage, there is a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. The journey has been filled with lessons, growth, and
immeasurable love. As we look forward to the years to come, I can say that we will continue to approach our marriage with the same enthusiasm and commitment that marked the beginning of our union.
As I conclude, one may ask, what advice can you give to couples? What I can personally say is Never say the word “Never”. That statement will come back to bite you every time (It bit me very hard, lol). I am a true believer that the words and actions you put out whether they are positive or negative will manifest at any given moment. When they do, how you react and respond may come back to bite you.
Marriage is your muse. However, the union is tested by all sorts of things, people, and actions you take. As you grow in your marriage, you will have the wisdom to make the best decision for what is important to you. Don’t decide too quickly and don’t decide with hesitation. Own your decisions. Marriage is not only about love. Marriage is about respect, honesty, growth, wisdom, and financial stability. It is a journey that has sculpted us into the individuals we are today. We look forward to many more years and honor our vows til death do us part.
