Some place between this season of illness, health issues with our extended family, and waiting on this newest little one, Paul and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary.

He was in New York and I was here waiting with my dear father-in-law the day following his open heart surgery. (Last year he was off some place and I was waiting with my own mother on the chemo unit, at the local hospital.)

He sent me beautiful roses (fading some now…), and I packed him my gift along with a card where I had written my thoughts on our marriage, and my thankfulness for him.

It was pretty easy to think for a moment that it would be nice to spend the day with him, but as I pondered, I realized these are what marriage really is about…not those “romance novel” moments with everything so perfect. It’s what happens when life really gets busy. It’s what happens when babies are up sick, there doesn’t seem to be enough money for everything that needs to be paid, and you just feel spread thin. It’s what happens when you may not feel like hanging in, but “for better or for worse”, makes you hold fast- and the Lord blesses you.

He draws your heart to that one.

I often look at my husband and think at the end of my days, I want that man to be able to say I was a good wife to him. I want him to know that I tried my best to do him good and not harm all the days of my life.

It’s been a rough few years for our family. I’m grateful, and humbled, and truly blessed to know I stand by him (even when he’s on the road).

Things aren’t always perfect but in their imperfection, they are beautiful.